a^^^^^^j >' ^■'/ ^ y "''^r^ 



WAYLAND IN THE CIVIL WAR. 



THE 



TOWN OF WAYLAND 



CIVIL WAR OF 1861-1865, 



AS REPRESENTED IN THE 



Army and Navy of the American Union. 



' O Mother-Land ! this weary life 

Thy faithfiil children led for thee : 
Theirs the strong agony of strife 
By land and stormy sea. 

And not in vain : now slants the gold 
Athwart those wild and stormy skies ; 

From out the blackened waste, behold 
What happy homes arise ! " 




PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN OF IVA VLAND. 



WAYLAND. 



W A Y i^ i\ i\ JL>. / ^ 




RAND, AVERY, & FRYE, PRINTERS, 
3 CoRNHiLL, Boston. 



To 

THE HEROIC MEN WHOSE DEEDS ARE HERE RECORDED, 

WHETHER 
RETURNING IN THE GLORIES OF VICTORY P'ROM BATTLE-FIELDS, OR LEAVING THEIR BODIES 

IN HONORED GRAVES ; 

WHOSE NOBLEST MONUMENT IS 

Cfje JFvcc Cnstituttons a£ t|jE Countrg bjJjfclj tfjrg fougljt to saiic; 

AND 
WHOSE BURIAL-PLACES WILL EVER BE IN THE HEARTS OF A GRATEFUL PEOPLE, 

AND OF MILLIONS REDEEMED FROM CRUEL BONDAGE, — 

THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED. 



PREFACE. 



A FTER some ineffectual attempts to secure the erection of 
a monument commemorative of the Wayland soldiers 
who fell in the late war, it occurred to some one that a much 
better memorial, in many respects, would be obtained by secur- 
ing the personal narratives of each, and preserving them in suit- 
able form for transmission to posterity. 

The suggestion was cordially met and acted on by the town 
in the choice of a Committee, to whom the whole subject was 
intrusted. 

In prosecuting their duties, unexpected delays occurred, which, 
by permitting a lapse in the memory of some of the soldiers, 
and the loss of documents (particularly letters from the army) 
that would have been available at an earlier day, have rendered 
the results of their efforts less satisfactory than could have been 
desired. 

Added to this, the greater willingness of some to com- 
municate their army-experiences, and the facilities of others to 
supply information by means of diaries and sketches previously 



8 PREFA CE. 

prepared, may be regarded as reasons for differences in the 
extent of surface covered, and the value of details embraced, 
in the several narratives. 

It should be noticed that the narratives (with two exceptions) 
are confined to the soldiers who enlisted from Wayland as their 
residence, and were officially accredited to fill its required 
quotas. The two exceptional cases were of men who were 
natives of Wayland. 

In the movements of such large bodies of men as occurred 
in this gigantic war, — often by tens, and sometimes by hun- 
dreds, of thousands, — the doings of a single soldier are often 
indistinguishable from the mass. His experience is identified 
with the organization to which he chanced to be attached. 
Hence it has been found convenient, in tracing a soldier's course 
(except when on detached service or in extraordinary positions), 
to make the regiment to which he belonged the general basis 
on which his experience rests ; affording thus a little freer scope 
for reference to army-movements. But, as historical complete- 
ness forms no part of the plan of the book, the reader will 
look in vain for any comprehensive views of the " great conflict," 
or for a full description of the campaigns, battles, and move- 
ments touched upon in the narratives. 

In arranging the material furnished by men whose experience 
was frequently coincident, in consequence of their belonging to 
the same military organizations, considerable effort has been 



PREFACE. 9 

required to counteract the effect of tiresome repetitions. The 
editorial Hberty, sometimes pretty freely exercised, of curtailing 
statements in some of the narratives, and their more liberal 
extension in others, when treating the same occurrence, must be 
referred to a desire for attaining this object. Complete success, 
however, was found to lie beyond the power of achievement, 
without sacrificing too much that is justly due to each soldier. 

The work is submitted with some degree of confidence that 
to the soldiers and their friends of the present generation it will 
prove a not unworthy tribute to the patriotism and valor dis- 
played in the eventful times of " The War of the Great Rebel- 
lion," and will pass with increasing value to the hands of their 
descendants in remote periods of the future. 

EDMUND H. SEARS, " 
LAFAYETTE DUDLEY, \ Coiinnittee. 
JAMES S. DRAPER, 

Wayland, July 4, 1870. 
2 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

BALCOM, OSCAR PAGE 13 

BERRY, CHARLES HENRY 20 

BOND, EDWARD PAYSON 27 

BRADSHAW, JOHN 33 

BRIGHAM, JOHN BAKER 35 

BROWN, HEZEKIAH N 4° 

BRUMMITT, JOHN MOORE 42 

BULLARD, JOSEPH OSCAR 44 

BUTTERFIELD, WILLIAM HENRY 51 

BUTTERFIELD, JOHN CALVIN 57 

BUTTERFIELD, CHARLES BENJAMIN 63 

CAMPBELL, CHARLES HENRY 76 

CARTER, ELBRIDGE AMBROSE 97 

CARTER, EDWARD 107 

CARTER, WILLIAM WARREN 126 

CORLISS, BENJAMIN 13S 

CORMAN, FERDINAND 136 

DAMON, JOSEPH THOMAS .... 144 

DAVIS, EDSON CAPEN 148 

DAVIS, SUMNER AARON 157 

DEAN, CHARLES FRANKLIN 162 

DEAN, THOMAS ALFRED 164 

DICKEY, GEORGE TAYLOR 16S 

DRAPER, CURTIS WARREN 170 

DRAPER, FRANK WINTHROP iSo 

DRAPER, JAMES AUSTIN 243 

DRAPER, WILLIAM DEXTER 252 

DUDLEY, CHARLES 257 

FAIRBANKS, FRANK B 258 

FARMER, ELIAS WHITFIELD 260 

GARFIELD, MARSHALL 262 

GARFIELD, WILLIAM HENRY 268 

GARLAND, CHARLES WILLIAM 274 

11 



1 2 CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

GLEASON, DANIEL WEBSTER 276 

HARLOW, WILLIAM THOMAS 277 

HEARD, SAMUEL HALE MANN 279 

HERSEY, WARREN ALVIN 282 

HILLS, WILLIAM KINGSTON 289 

HOLMES, LUTHER DOW 290 

JAMESON, WILLIAM HENRY 292 

JESSOP, WILLIAM ALFRED 295 

KEMP, GEORGE GILBERT 299 

KING, ALBERT FRANKLIN . 302 

LOKER, EDWARD ISAAC 30S 

LOVEJOY, WILLIAM 306 

MAY, CHARLES HENRY 3°/ 

MAY, WILLIAM ARIEL 323 

MELLEN, JOHN 32S 

MOORE, CHARLES WILLIAM 328 

MOORE, JOSEPH MARSHALL 329 

MOORE, SAMUEL 335 

MORSE, JOHN NOYES 341 

MOULTON, JAMES EDMUND 3^5 

MULLEN, DENNIS 366 

PAGE, AMBROSE MIRANDA 3^7 

PARKER, WILLIAM LEVI 372 

PARMENTER, HENRY DANA 373 

RICE, CHARLES HAMMOND 377 

RICE, JAMES ALVIN 378 

RUSSELL, EDMUND 384 

SEARL, JOHN JAMES 3S5 

SPOFFORD, GEORGE ANDERSON 394 

STONE, EVINSON 405 

STONE, JOHN EDMUND 4" 

SWAN, LEWIS C 412 

THURSTON, HIRAM LEONARD 414 

WADE, THOMAS FRANCIS 416 

WALKER, HENRY OTIS 425 

WELLINGTON, ALPHEUS BIGELOW 427 

WELLINGTON, WALTER J 441 

Soldiers -whose native place is IVayland, but whose service was accredited 

to other places. 

LOKER, JAMES DEXTER -■.... 442 

MELLEN, JOSHUA 444 



NARRATIVES. 



Oscar Page Balcom. 



'HE prevailing enthusiasm for sustaining our gov- 
ernment and its armies in opposition to the Rebel 
Confederacy and its hosts in the field led Mr. Bal- 
com to enter his name, with others, as a volunteer 
soldier. 

On the ist of August, 1862, he joined Company I 
(Capt. Brigham) of the Thirty-ninth Regiment of 
Infantry. 

He was the son of Joseph and Mary L. (Sampson) Balcom ; 
born in Marlborough, Mass., Oct. 31, 1844. 

His height was five feet, five and a half inches. He was 
of dark complexion, black hair, blue eyes, and a farmer by occu- 
pation. 

Mr. Balcom relates but comparatively few incidents of either 
field or camp in his experience of nearly three years in the army. 
The five or six weeks in camp at Lynnfield and Boxford, the 
departure and trip to Washington, and the encampment on the 




Note. — The regiments named in this work will be understood as belonging to Massacliu- 
setts, unless otherwise described ; and all the men whose narratives are included were "volun- 
teers," except the three declared as drafted. 

13 



14 OSCAR PAGE BALCOM. 

heights across the Potomac, though filled with novelties and 
excitements to him, in common with all beginners in military- 
service, are now looked back upon as trivial matters. Pools- 
ville in Maryland was the centre of regimental operations for 
considerable time in the autumn following ; from which point the 
Thirty-ninth furnished its quotas of scouts, patrols, and pickets, 
to operate up and down the river that separated the hostile lines. 
One Sunday in October, there was a strong expectation of meet- 
ing the rebels ; and our men were turned out, and marched 
about three miles, when jokes took the place of fears, as they 
faced about, and conducted a " masterly retreat " from an absent 
foe. 

Winter-quarters, in the usual style of huts covered with shel- 
ter-tents, were established in a good locality not far from Pools- 
ville. Here Mr. Balcom, while lifting a heavy timber, received 
a severe injury, that nearly unfitted him for further service, and 
which made the remainder of that service at times very trying, and 
always more or less uncomfortable. It was a case of hernia, 
for which, after several weeks of surgical care, he was deemed 
a proper subject for a discharge ; and his papers to that effect 
were duly prepared and signed. Against this movement his 
patriotic feelings protested ; and he was allowed to remain a while 
longer on trial. 

The regiment remained in winter-quarters until near the 
middle of April ; when it was ordered to break camp, and pro- 
ceed to the city of Washington, where it arrived about noon on 
the 17th following. 

Mr. Balcom, as well as his comrades, found a three-months' 
residence here, doing patrol duty chiefly, to afford convenient 
opportunities for becoming acquainted with the capital of their 
country and its various attractions.* 

* It was a significant remark made by him, that " some of the great folks there appeared at 
times no better than they should be." 



OSCAR PAGE BALCOM. 1 5 

At the news of the battle of Gettysburg the Thirty-ninth 
received marching-orders, and proceeded by the railroad to 
Harper's Ferry. In a few days, it joined the Army of the 
Potomac at Funkstown ; Lee's army being now on the retreat, 
and ours moving in pursuit. Very soon, all the troops in the 
vicinity crossed the Potomac, and occupied hostile territory. 

The Gettysburg fight was a severe test of the strength and 
skill of both armies. The superior position of the Union troops 
had enabled them successfully to resist the terrific charges of 
the rebels ; but the strength and prowess of the latter was a 
caution to our commanders not to risk another trial without 
pretty sure footing. So, with careful tramps, our forces moved 
down on Virginia soil. 

From the i8th of July to the ist of August, when it reached 
the Rappahannock, the regiment had- passed successively through 
Middlebury, Warrenton, Bealton Station, and many other 
places ; occasionally hearing firing, but encountering none of 
the enemy. 

A battle was expected while near Culpeper ; and the men 
lay on their arms all of one night in hourly anticipation of im- 
portant developments. Cannonading was constantly heard ; yet 
actual conflict seemed to be avoided by both parties. At Hay 
Market, the Thirty-ninth was again kept under arms all night, 
with no camp-fires, under orders to preserve perfect freedom 
from noise that might betray their position to the enemy. 

Nov. 4, while at Kettle Run, eight days' rations were issued; 
and rapid marching was kept up from day to day until the war- 
cloud gathered over a spot on the Mine Run, — a small tributary 
stream on the southerly side of the Rapidan. During the 
march, the men were several days without rations, and in a 
barren territory, where foraging was useless. It was the severest 
trial yet encountered. 



1 6 OSCAR PAGE BALCOM. 

The two great armies were now confronting each other. The 
Thirty-ninth was put on the skirmish-hne, and had its first 
experience in exchanging shots with the enemy. Every prepa- 
ration was in readiness ; but Gen. Meade took the side of 
prudent valor, and quietly withdrew his army to various points 
for winter-quarters. Our regiment was marched to Mitchel's 
Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Here, with 
abundant rations, though with some hardship on the picket- 
line, the men passed as comfortable a time as usually falls to 
soldiers during a long, dreary winter. 

Spring opened with the prospect of brisk business. Mr. 
Balcom was not unwilling to exchange the winter-camp for the 
active campaign, especially as it was planned by, and to be exe- 
cuted under the eye of, Lieut-Gen. Grant. 

On entering the Wilderness with the great army, the 
sounds and sights of battle were abundant on every side, and, 
by their frequency, soon took away the first fears experienced 
on enterino^ the fields of dansfer. 

On the second night, after sustaining a line of battle till quite 
dark, the men lay on their arms. Our soldier experienced a 
slight shock, when, on waking the next morning, it was dis- 
covered that he had selected for a sleeping companion during 
the darkness one who was pale in the cold repose of death. 

The Laurel-hill fight occurred two days after. A successful 
charge here drove the enemy's cavalry and a battery from the 
hill, and, for the distance of a mile or more, to a line of breast- 
works, where the rebel infantry proved too strong; and after a 
severe fight, in which Mr. Balcom, with others near him, narrowly 
escaped capture, a retreat was ordered. 

During the next two or three days, the regiment was " off and 
on " the line of battle, and hourly exposed to either artillery or 
infantry firing. 



OSCAR PAGE BALCOM. 1 7 

At Spottsylvania Court House it was also exposed, but took 
part in no actual engagement. 

On crossing the North Anna River, an engagement for a 
short time ensued by a furious charge of the rebels. They 
met their repulse chiefly from the effects of our batteries, that 
were admirably posted. 

With no cessation of active duty, either in marching, throw- 
ing up breastworks, or on the line of battle, the regiment gradu- 
ally approached the rebel capital ; the actual fighting being 
chiefly at Bethesda Church and White-oak Swamp. 

James River was crossed June 16 ; and a position was at once 
taken in front of Petersburg, where, under constant exposure, 
breastworks and forts were built by our men, with an occasional 
sortie of greater or less consequence. 

One of the principal battles in which Mr. Balcom took part 
was at the Weldon Railroad, Aug. 18, 1864. The exposure to 
the rebel fires of both artillery and infantry was terrible. Our 
ground was maintained until flanked by the enemy, by which 
many of our men were taken prisoners. The battle was con- 
tinued for two days ; when our forces were obliged to retire to 
the woods, after repulsing successfully three or four charges 
made during the day. At one time during the fighting, our 
troops might have gained a decided advantage but for unfortu- 
nately mistaking an advancing column of the foe (many of 
whom wore uniforms of blue) for our men. They were allowed 
to approach, and deliver their destructive fire, unmolested ; 
when, but for the error, they could have been easily demol- 
ished. 

Another engagement of the Thirty-ninth, at which he 
was also present, occurred at Hatcher's Run in the winter 
of 1864. A line of the enemy's works here was assaulted; and 



1 8 OSCAR PAGE BALCOM. 

after a second effort, which was hotly contested, they were driven 
from their position. 

In the spring- of 1865, about the last of March, another severe 
engagement, in which our soldier participated, took place at 
Gravelly Run. Our line was charged by the rebels, and over- 
powered, with the loss of Col. Tremlett and many other officers 
and men. It was subsequently re-enforced, and charged success- 
fully on the rebels ; retaking the ground lost in the morn- 
ing. 

At the battle of Five Forks, the Thirty-ninth held a post of 
honor on the centre. This occurred on the first day of April. 
It was a most complete success, and accomplished with but litUe 
loss to the Union army. The breaking and capturing of this 
line of the rebel defences was the closing fight of the war ; and 
no time was lost in pushing our men on to cut off the only way 
of retreat from the rebel capital. Although greatly exhausted, 
they eagerly pressed forward, and, on the 9th of April, had fairly 
arrested the retreating rebels at Appomattox Court House, 
whose surrender was indeed a most welcome event to " the boys 
in blue." 

The return-march to Washins^ton is reo^arded as one of the 
hardest of the war, under the spur of competition among the 
different corps to see who would soonest reach that city. 

Mr. Balcom was discharged with his comrades, June 2, 1865, 
at Washington. 

It was his good fortune to escape the missiles of war entirely 
during all the imminent exposures. He declares himself fully 
satisfied with having sustained the duty of a soldier; and would 
not hesitate for a moment in again discharging similar duties, 
should his country demand it. He saw during the progress of 
the war the one great cause of its inception and continuance 
to be the institution of slavery in the rebel States ; and the 



OSCAR PAGE BALCOM. 1 9 

President's emancipation proclamation he regarded as an im- 
portant step in quelling the Great Rebellion. 

Mr. Balcom served as a private until near the close of the 
war, when he was promoted to the post of a corporal. He was 
married, May 29, 1866, to Hattie Garfield of Wayland ; and 
resides at present in Natick, Mass. 



Charles Henry Berry. 




'ROMP TED by a regard for patriotic duty, Mr. 
Berry became a soldier in the Union army, Sept. 3, 
1861 ; joining Company C (Capt. Pratt) of the 
Twenty-fourth Regiment of Infantry. In person he 
was five feet five inches tall, with brown hair, light 
complexion, gray eyes, of slender form, and by 
occupation a farmer. 

Very soon after he joined the regiment, he was 
detailed by Col. Stevenson as his orderly, and as regimental 
postmaster. These positions he held during the whole service, 
fulfilling the trusts with entire acceptance. He was thereby 
exempted from some of the hard service of fatigue-duty, and 
also from some of the severer trials in action ; though, during 
the fights, many of the despatches and orders he was required to 
transmit took him through places of unusual peril. 

The first destination of the regiment on leaving Massachu- 
setts was Annapolis, Md. Here it formed a part of Gen. Burn- 
side's command in the expedition against Roanoke Island and 
vicinity. The fleet sailed on the 9th of January, 1862 ; and, after 
four days of very rough weather, Hatteras Inlet was reached. 
The destructive gale that was experienced before all the 
vessels reached the sound will ever be remembered for its vio- 
lence. Several vessels were lost. 



CHARLES HENRY BERRY. 21 

All was in readiness for opening the fight on the 7th of Feb- 
ruary. A part of the regiment landed on the island; but Mr. 
Berry and some of the officers, with the remainder of the privates, 
were on the gunboat " Vedette," that moved up, and, with the 
other boats, opened fire on the rebel fortifications. Shot and 
shell from the forts were well and abundantly served ; but none 
of them struck " The Vedette." After the victory, she proceeded 
up the sound to Plymouth, which also soon surrendered. 

Nearly all the fleet sailed on the nth of March for Newbern, 
N.C. On arriving, two days after, it was found that extensive 
defensive works had been built a few miles below the city. The 
next day, a line of battle was formed ; and after about three hours 
of firing, in which our men spent all their ammunition, a bayonet 
charge was ordered and carried, but with heavy loss to our troops. 
While advancing over the abatis, a shot struck the bayonet of 
Mr. Berry's gun, bending it so as to spoil it, and wrenching the 
musket from his grasp. The rebels refused to yield until our 
men were on the parapet. They then set fire to their city, and 
the bridge leading to it ; but our men followed at once, and ex- 
tinguished the flames. 

A few days after, the Twenty-fourth embarked for Washington, 
N.C, took possession of the place, and returned to Newbern ; but 
were soon ordered back, and remained until the last of July. 
During this time, an encounter with a rebel regiment of infantry 
and cavalry occurred at Tranter's Creek, which lasted nearly an 
hour: the rebels were defeated, with the loss of their colonel. 

Near the middle of August, the Twenty-fourth, with some artil- 
lery, were ordered to Swansborough, thirty miles south of New- 
bern, to destroy extensive salt-works. These works were defend- 
ed by a battery, which was captured ; and the works, together 
with a large quantity of salt, were destroyed. 

Several unimportant movements were accomplished, until the 



2 2 CHARLES HENRY BERRY. 

regiment found itself on the ist of November at Washington, 
N.C., in rendezvous, with a considerable force under Gen. Foster. 
An expedition into the interior was immediately started ; but 
there was no fighting; for everywhere the rebels fled at the ap- 
proach of Foster's forces : and, after six days' marching to a point 
near Tarborough, " we turned our course toward the seashore, and 
reached Plymouth on the nth of November, embarking thence 
for Newbern." 

The regiment started Dec. 12 on the expedition, under Gen. 
Foster, to destroy the railroad-bridge at Goldsborough. A consid- 
erable force of the enemy had concentrated at Kinston to oppose 
his progress. In the action which ensued, our regiment sup- 
ported Belger's battery, that did good service in routing the ene- 
my. At Whitehall, also, opposition was met : it was chiefly an 
artillery-fight across the Neuse River. The Twenty-fourth sup- 
ported the battery as before. The enemy's shot and shell came 
so thick here, that Col. Stevenson dismounted, and gave his 
horse in charge of his orderly to be taken to a safer place. There 
was but little fighting at Goldsborough. The railroad-bridge 
across the Neuse was completely destroyed, with other property ; 
and the march back to Newbern terminated on the 20th of De- 
cember, the last day of which (over thirty miles) will long be 
remembered as one of great hardship. 

The scene now shifts to the State of South Carolina. Our 
troops were embarked at Moorhead City, and landed at St. He- 
lena Island, at the mouth of the Edisto River, on the last day 
of January, 1863; having touched at Beaufort and Hilton Head 
on the passage. The encampment under shelter-tents continued 
here until the movement was made to Edisto Island on the 27th 
of March, where the three months following were spent in build- 
ing forts. 

The next destination was for more perilous duty, — in Charles- 



CHARLES HENRY BERRY. 23 

ton harbor. On the loth of July, the Twenty-fourth, with other 
troops, landed on James's Island. While here, a severe artillery- 
fight occurred without advantage to either side ; and, on the 1 7th, 
Col. Stevenson's command was boated over to Morris Island. At 
this time, great preparations had been made to subjugate the mili- 
tary defences of the harbor. Admiral Dahlgren's fleet were daily 
sending their iron compliments to Sumter and the other rebel forts, 
and the " Swamp Angel " with a tremendous roar was projecting 
its three-hundred-pound missile over a distance of four miles to 
rouse the people of Charleston by its terrific explosion at the 
end of its aerial journey. Fort Wagner, on Morris Island, must 
be forced from its rebel garrison ; and our regiment was there 
on the 1 8th to do its part of the work. But it was ordered on 
the reserve; while Col. Shaw, with his brave regiment of colored 
troops (Fifty-fourth Massachusetts), took the post of honor, with 
the sacrifice of his life and many of his command, as they des- 
perately fought their way even into the trenches of the enemy. 
Mr Berry was where he could distinctly see this most deter- 
mined and bloody charge. It was nearly dark when the colored 
troops were repulsed, and the other columns moved up ; and, 
when the Twenty-fourth was deployed into line, it was deemed 
best not to repeat the attempt to take the fort that night. " We 
occupied the first parallel of the works, and, during the night, 
were fearfully shelled by the enemy." 

The next day (Sunday) our dead were buried under a flag of 
truce, and the attack on the fort was postponed. 

The stay here was prolonged to nearly three months. Under 
a hot sun, and with severe labor in building works, our men suf- 
fered much ; and more than three hundred were at one time on 
the sick-list. 

A rebel rifle-pit had been built about three hundred feet in 
front of the line occupied by the Twenty-fourth ; and, on the 



24 CHARLES HENRY BERRY. 

evening of the 26th of August, orders were given to charge and 
take it. It was a fearful task ; for there was no protection. But 
so brisk was the movement, that the rebels had time for only one 
volley before we rushed upon them and captured nearly the 
whole. The shovel-men were ordered to work immediately in 
turning the work for defence, during whicli " the batteries of 
Wagner and Gregg were playing upon us with terrible power. 
We were relieved at midnight, having lost many men." A grand 
assault was planned by Gen. Gilmore for the 7th of September ; 
but a reconnoissance during the night previous revealed the fact 
that the enemy had evacuated their forts. On the next day, the 
regiment had the honor to co-operate with Admiral Dahlgren 
in an assault on Fort Sumter. 

In effecting the assault, the regiment with others embarked in 
boats during the night, and were rowed towards the fort. The 
navy had taken position, and the battle had commenced, before 
the arrival of the infantry. The experiment proved unsuccessful; 
and the heavy metal of the well-served guns in the forts told 
with disabling effect on our monitors. A retreat was ordered. 
Our infantry forces were saved from being demolished by retir- 
ing through another channel under cover of land. 

After this, the regiment was sent to recruit at St. Augustine, 
Fla. Although there was considerable skirmishing whenever 
the " boys " went out to forage, yet the time spent here up to the 
close of the year was a period of peculiar enjoyment. 

Early in January, 1864, Mr. Berry, and over four hundred of 
his comrades, were lionorably discharged for re-enlistment as 
veterans ; the date of Mr. Berry's paper being Jan. 4. Under 
a furlough of thirty days, he visited his friends in Wayland and 
other places ; and, on returning to service, he reported at Wash- 
ington, and proceeded thence to Gloucester Point, Hampton 
Roads, where he rejoined his regiment, then on its way up the 



CHARLES HENRY BERRY. 25 

James. It now constituted a part of the Army of the James, 
under command of Major-Gen. Butler; and was landed at Ber- 
muda Hundred the 6th of May. 

On the next day, the Twenty-fourth constituted a part of the 
force to attack the rebels on the Petersburg and Richmond Rail- 
road. It was mainly an artillery-fight. 

At the taking of the rebel works at Drury's Blufif, and their 
counter-attack two days following, Mr. Berry was present ; and 
the Twenty-fourth was in the hottest part. In the performance 
of his duties here, he was greatly exposed, but escaped un- 
harmed. 

The enemy now retired from our front: the James was crossed, 
and a position taken near Deep Bottom, eight or nine miles 
nearer Richmond. Here the enemy's works were successfully 
charged. Gen. Meade's army, under personal control of Gen. 
Grant, had now passed to Petersburg, and commenced its regu- 
lar siege operations ; and the Twenty-fourth was ordered back 
to Bermuda Hundred. 

Previous to its moving into works before Petersburg, it had 
skirmished heavily and successfully with the enemy at Chester 
Station, Green Valley, Flussers' Mills, and Deep Run. 

Auof. 26, the reo^imant was ordered into the works before 
Petersburg, and took its chance amid the daily exposures of 
the siege. 

Near the close of September, orders were received to join a 
reconnoissance at the Derbytown Road ; and " we became hotly 
engaged with the enemy, driving them from their works at Cha- 
pin's Farm." 

A combined attack of the Army of the James on the rebel 
works towards Richmond, on the 27th of October, brought the 
Twenty-fourth into severe conflict, but without great loss. At 
Four-mile-run Church " we were encamped until the middle 



26 CHARLES HENRY BERRY. 

of December, and had one pretty sharp brush with the rebels 
at this place." 

From here the regiment was ordered to Bermuda Hundred, 
where it remained on garrison - duty until the evacuation of 
Richmond ; after which, guard-duty at the military prisons of that 
city fell to its lot until Jan. 20, 1866 ; at which date the members 
were all discharged, and proceeded at once to their homes. 

On the 27th, the regiment marched to the front of the State 
House in Boston, and delivered its colors to the governor, from 
whom a very flattering address was received. 

It is pertinent here to remark that the Twenty-fourth obtained 
the name of " The Ironclad," from its habitual success in re- 
pelling all assaults to which it was subjected. It took part in 
twenty different engagements, at all of which Mr. Berry was 
present on active duty. 

Of him it can be said, that he was in the service four years 
and seven months, — a much longer period than any other of 
the Wayland men. During that time, he was never confined 
in hospital-quarters for a day. He passed unscathed amid the 
bullets of the battle-field and the deadly miasms of Southern 
swamps. 

He was the son of Brackett and Elizabeth (Carter) Berry ; 
born at Portsmouth, N.H., Sept. 20, 1839. He was married to 
Margaret Moore of Wayland a few days subsequent to his first 
enlistment. His residence at present is at Newton. 



Edward Payson Bond. 




fill to man. 



y^f^^j^'^-R. BOND, a son of Artemas and Emily (Roby) 
^ ~ Bond, was born at Wayland the tenth day of 

March, 1830. 

From his eariiest childhood, he manifested pe- 
culiar fondness for horses ; and in after-years 
made himself fully acquainted with their various 
habits, wants, and diseases, and the treatment 
requisite to render that valuable animal most use- 
The pertinence of this statement will appear in 
the course of the narrative. 

The professional prefix of Doctor, frequently attached to his 
name, and by which he was familiarly known both at home and 
in the army, was of early origin. His love of horses had tempted 
a too near proximity to the stamping hoof of one of them ; and 
a crushed foot was the result, of such severity as to require the 
surgical attendance of Dr. Kittridge, with a view of amputating 
a pedal extremity. This seemed so unsuitable to the little fellow, 
then three years old, that, while the doctor was being sent for, 
he found a hiding-place so secure, that the surgeon was obliged 
to retire without a case. Having thus eluded the foe, he exult- 
ingly came forth, saying, " I told you Dotter Tittridge s'oudn't 
tut my toe off; " and from that time he received the honorary 
title of Doctor. ' 



27 



28 EDWARD PAYSON BOND. 

On his enlistment, Aug. 22, 1 861, in the Twentieth Regiment 
of Infantry, Company E (Capt. Schmidtt), Mr. Bond was almost 
immediately detailed as wagoner; which place he held while he 
remained a member. This position, while exempting him from 
some of the hardships of soldier-life, demanded more constant 
care and attention than is required of a private in the ranks ; 
and, while increasing the hazard of being " gobbled up " as a 
prisoner, it gave him better opportunities for observing the army 
movements around, particularly during engagements. 

The regiment left the encampment at Readville on the fourth 
day of September, 1861 ; and was soon assigned to guard and 
picket duty on the Potomac. In the fulfilment of this trust, 
nothing unusual or worthy of record happened until the battle of 
Ball's Bluff, which occurred on the 20th October, 1861. This was 
a point on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, about thirty- 
five miles above the city of Washington. A reconnoissance was 
ordered by Gen. Stone ; and, on finding a considerable force of 
the rebels, all the troops constituting the Fifteenth and Twenti- 
eth Regiments on picket in that vicinity were ordered to cross 
the river, and risk an engagement. The rebels proved the 
stronger party ; and, late in the afternoon, our men were driven 
down the bluff. 

Here comes in one of the most barbarous incidents of the 
war. Mr. Bond, who, from the Maryland side of the river, was 
in sight of the contest all day, says, " It was enough to curdle 
one's blood to see our soldiers chased down the steep bluff to 
the river's edge, where, laying down their arms and calling for 
mercy, they were cruelly and constantly fired into by the yelling 
and merciless foe. Nor was this all. The available boats had 
been overloaded and sunk ; and such of our men as could swim 
plunged into the stream, calling out, 'Don't fire! don't fire!' 
But, alas ! around the heads of these brave men, now unarmed, 



EDWARD PAYSON BOND. 29 

and swimming for dear life, the enemy continued to pour their 
volleys, till the stream ran red with blood, and was thickly strewn 
with the floating dead." Mr. Bond aided many to reach the 
shore, some of whom died from over-exertion. 

No more fighting was experienced until the regiment was 
ordered to Yorktown, late in March. But, previous to this date, 
there was some excitement by the order received about the mid- 
dle of March to move at once in re-enforcement of Gen. Banks 
in his efforts to drive the rebels from the Shenandoah Valley. 
Before an actual junction of forces, however, the order was 
countermanded. 

The " Peninsular Campaign " had now been entered upon 
under direction of the extremely cautious commander Major-Gen. 
McClellan. 

The Twentieth Regiment, now constituting a part of the 
Second Army Corps under Gen. Sumner, landed at Hampton, 
opposite Fortress Monroe, on the last day of March, and moved 
upon the enemy, then heavily fortified at Yorktown, of Revolu- 
tionary memory. 

On coming into position there, Mr. Bond was thrown from a 
horse frightened by a bursting shell, and received a severe wound 
in his shoulder. He still, however, kept to his position for a 
time ; but the frequent chilly rains, added to the constant damp- 
ness of the camping-ground (often completely submerged after 
a heavy shower), obliged him to retire for hospital treatment. 

Here his injuries were pronounced of such severity as to ren- 
der his recovery sufficient for service very doubtful at least for 
months to come ; and he sought thereupon a regular discharge 
for disability, which he received April 26, 1862. 

He spent the remainder of the spring and summer months at 
his home, and, in the autumn, felt himself so far restored to 
soundness as to enlist in the Forty-fifth Regiment, then recruit- 



30 EDWARD PAYSON BOND. 

ine for a service of nine months. His enlistment bears date 
Sept. 26, 1862, as a private in Company F, Capt. Daland ; it 
being understood at the time that he was to occupy the position 
of wagoner. 

With the fortunes of that regiment, in all its movements, he 
was identified from the time of his joining it till near the expi- 
ration of its term of service ; a witness of its skirmishes and 
battles, and acting in aid of his comrades so far as his special 
duties would permit. 

After the battle of Whitehall, he went to look at a spot where 
both horses and men lay dead in masses. As he stood by a fence, 
gazing with horror-struck feelings, especially at seeing a herd of 
swine actually tearing the flesh from those human bodies, and 
greedily devouring it, the sharp crack of three or more rifles on 
the opposite banks of the river told of danger too late to re- 
treat. The bullets whizzed close by him ; one of them striking 
the rail on which he was leaning. He did not wait for his rebel 
friends to reload. 

During the siege of Washington on the Tar River, in North 
Carolina, at the request of Col. Codman and Col. Bradley, Mr. 
Bond left his regiment, and took charge of a wagon-train sent to 
supply our troops in that city; which was successfully accom- 
plished. 

On returning to Newbern, the sickly season having com- 
menced, Mr. Bond thought it prudent to return home, as no 
special duties seemed to demand his remaining there. His dis- 
charge from the Forty-fifth Regiment bears date of June 22, 
1863. 

He had scarcely been at home a week, before his reputation 
for trustworthiness, and his skill in the general management of 
teams, procured for him the offer of chief wagoner, and master 
of forage, for the United-States Christian Commission, — an insti- 



EDWARD PAYSON BOND. 



31 



tution whose extensive operations in the army during the war 
demanded talents of high order in its executive departments. 

Mr. Bond accepted the responsible trust proffered, and re- 
mained in that position until the close of the war. 

To enumerate the many and arduous duties now devolving on 
him, covering the ground of supplying teams, forage, and local 
arrangement (keeping him, in times of active engagements be- 
tween the armies, in constant activity both night and day), would 
be a voluminous task. 

His headquarters during the siege of Petersburg and Rich- 
mond were at City Point ; and from thence his charge extended 
to all parts of the army. 

It is sufficient for Mr. Bond's credit to insert here the follow- 
ing copy of a certificate voluntarily put into his hands at the 
close of the war : — 

This is to certify that Mr. Edward P. Bond was in the employ of the United-States Christian 
Commission, as chief wagon-master, from fitly i, 1864, laitil the surrender of Gen. Lee ; and it 
gives us great pleasure to state that his services vteritcd the approbation of the Executive Committee. 
I/is kno'iuledge of and treatment of horses saved much expense, and added greatly to the efficiency 
of the Commission, in enabling them to transmit the stores to the various points of the army, re- 
lieving the wants aiid sufferings of many of tJie soldiers. 

(Signed) GEORGE H. STUART, 

CJiairman of tlie U.S.C.C. 
Dated at Pliiladelpfiia, April zo, 1865. 

In stature, Mr. Bond was five feet eleven and a half inches 
high, of light complexion, light hair, and blue eyes. At the date 
of his first enlistment, he was engaged in the business of butch- 
ering. 

He was united by marriage with Margaret A. Fairbanks of 
Concord, Mass., on Nov. — , 1851 ; and had three children, the 
youngest three years old when he enlisted. 

He visited Richmond the day after its evacuation by Gen. 
Lee's army, and speaks of the destitution and wretchedness of 



32 EDWARD PAYSON BOND. 

the inhabitants remaining as extreme ; many being in a state 
of actual starvation. Twelve or fifteen dollars, rebel currency, 
was demanded for an ordinary penny-roll of bread before the 
entrance of our troops ; and other articles of food were priced in 
proportion. 

Mr. Bond possessed a very benevolent cast of character ; and 
many a destitute soldier has occasion to bless his liberality. He 
is at present a resident of Wayland. 



John Bradshaw. 




OHN BRADSHAW was a native of England, bom 

May I, 1840; being the son of John M. and 

Bradshaw. 

He enhsted Oct. 16, 1861, to serve for three years 
as a private in Company F, Twenty-sixth Regi- 
ment of Infantry, which left Boston in November, 

1 86 1, in the steamer "Constitution," for a South- 
ed . . 

ern destmation. Its debarkation on Ship Island 
(near the mouth of the Mississippi River) took place early 
in December. On this desert island it remained, without 
incident of note, during the succeeding four months. The 
glistening white sand painfully affected the eyes of our sol- 
dier (they were always weak) ; and the results were so promi- 
nent as to secure a certificate from authorities, by which he ob- 
tained a small pension after his discharge. 

He next moved with his regiment to Fort St. Philip, on the 
river, seventy miles below New Orleans ; and subsequently to 
the city of New Orleans, where provost-guard duty was the sole 
service required. 

Here heart-disease manifested itself; and he remained in hos- 
pital-quarters for treatment until Jan. 2, 1863,* when he was dis- 
charged from the service for disability. 



* He had also an attack of fever and ague at this lime. 
6 :53 



34 JOHN BRADSHAW. 

Judging by the contents of a few letters sent to his friends, 
he possessed many feehngs of kindly regard, even for those 
whose unkindly treatment in his earlier years might in other 
minds have produced coldness. Of his pay, he sent regularly 
twelve dollars per month to his friends. 

In November following his discharge, he was married to Lucy 
Clark of Wayland. Not long after, under the influence of an 
irrepressible impulse, the hand of self-destruction terminated his 
mortal life. 



John Baker Brigham. 




'ED by the spirit of the times, Mr. Brigham became 
a soldier for three years, or during the war, as 
a private in the Thirty-fifth Infantry Regiment 
(Company D), July 31, 1862. 

He was born in Marlborough, Mass., Aug. 11, 

1835 ; and was a farmer by occupation. In stature 

he was five feet seven inches, of light complexion, 

light hair, and blue eyes. 

He was united by marriage with Ann Mary Glezen of Weston, 

May 6, i860; and had one child when he entered the army. 

Artemas and Mary Brigham were the names of his parents. 

The details of his military career are coincident with his 
comrades of the Thirty-fifth until the regiment left Crab 
Orchard for its Vicksburg campaign. His first fighting ex- 
perience was at South Mountain. He was one whose natural 
temperament would not lead him to seek exposures to danger 
for the sake of a name ; but no sense of abject fear, on the 
other hand, ever tempted him to shun a post of duty, however 
perilous. And, on that day, he found the shock of battle less 
startling than he had anticipated. 

At Antietam, four days later, during which the noise of can- 
nonading was preparing unaccustomed ears for bloody-handed 
duty, Mr. Brigham found no hesitation in standing in his allot- 



35 



36 JOHN BAKER BRIGHAM. 

ment on the fields of carnage at the bridge-crossing, and when 
lying unprotected against the bursting shells and whizzing grape 
that saluted him and his comrades in their attempted advance 
on the rebel lines. Through the perils of these two battles he 
passed unharmed. 

A season of rest now awaited our troops, who had success- 
fully compelled the army of the rebel general to retire from the 
Northern soil to the territory which they claimed for a new con- 
federacy, and through which our soldiers were soon destined to 
follow them. 

Camping at Pleasant Valley is remembered by Mr. Brigham 
as having many pleasant incidents, with no severe duties, and 
but very little of variety. The monotony began to be some- 
what tiresome ; and scarcely a soldier had a sigh of regret, when, 
late in October, they had orders to cross the Potomac, and move 
in a southerly direction. 

The march, however, proved a rough one. With bad roads, 
unpropitious weather, and insufficient protection, it was very far 
from an agreeable journey from camp in Pleasant Valley, along 
the foot of Blue-Ridge Mountains, through a score or more of 
poor-looking towns, to the north bank of the Rappahannock 
River, in front of the town of Fredericksburg, in Virginia. The 
time occupied was twenty-four days. The only disturbance from 
rebel quarters occurred on passing near Sulphur Springs, when 
a battery opened suddenly on our columns with some scaring 
effect, especially among the mules and their drivers on the bag- 
gage-train. 

At the severe battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, Mr. Brigham 
was present, and in his place, faithfully discharging his duties in 
the awful perils of that day of carnage. 

The muddy repose during the winter of 1862-63 at Falmouth 
is remembered by this soldier with feelings of no peculiar in- 



JOHN BAKER BRIGHAM. 37 

terest ; and he was heartily glad of the change that gave him 
and his comrades the camp at Newport News. The repose 
found here was truly recuperating. 

But a soldier's rest is not of long duration. The army moved 
from here in boats, and landed at Baltimore in April, and 
then swept over the country in railroad-cars to the State of 
Kentucky. 

Mr. Brigham has lively recollections of the good times the 
boys had when they stopped on their way at several places, and 
were hospitably entertained with hot coffee and an abundance 
of relishing food. 

The tramps in Kentucky, sometimes in trying to overtake, 
and improve an opportunity to punish, the rebels in arms, and 
sometimes with no purpose discoverable by a private, are full of 
incidents of so small value as to be unworthy of mention in 
his narrative. 

Mr. Brigham had a hardy constitution, and had thought he 
could endure safely any exposures to which he might be called ; 
but like many others in similar conditions, and with similar 
faith in their physical powers for endurance, he found himself 
reluctantly forced to succumb to an attack of disease. 

In this region, the rain seems to delight in leaving its " cloudy 
urns " in drenching torrents at times, rather than in gentle 
showers. A prolonged exposure to one of these cold baths 
brought our soldier low with a typhoid-fever, — so low, said his 
nurse, " that his life was despaired of for a time ; " and, when 
the army moved from Crab Orchard, he was compelled by utter 
prostration to remain behind. 

After some weeks, and when he had partially recovered, the 
" chills " laid claim to their portion of the poor victim ; and 
his stay at Crab Orchard was prolonged to two months. He 
was then deemed sufficiently restored to be moved to a climate 



38 JOHN BAKER BRIGHAM. 

better suited to his complete recovery from this pecuHar disease. 
Portsmouth-grove Hospital, in Rhode Island, was selected as 
well adapted to his case ; but even here the disease proved 
obstinate in the highest degree, and he was deemed unfit for 
field-service until the spring campaign of 1864. 

During this long year of hospital treatment, Mr. Brigham 
was permitted to visit his family twice on short furloughs. 
He speaks of his treatment and care as unexceptionably good ; 
though the confinement was intolerably vexatious, for he wanted 
to rejoin his fellow-soldiers in active field-duty. 

In May, 1864, he was permitted to return to his regiment. It 
had passed through severe ordeals in the Mississippi and Ten- 
nessee campaigns ; and when he rejoined his comrades at Coal 
Harbor, after their other conflicts with the enemy during the 
Wilderness battles, he saw in their warlike visage the stamp 
of veterans to which his own hospital-whitened face must have 
presented a striking contrast- 

From this time to the close of the war, he shared in all the 
movements, operations, and battles of the regiment. The 
Thirty-fifth was now attached to the engineer corps, and had 
many " hard jobs " in road-repairing and bridge-making, in level- 
ling forests for abatis-work, and constructing other works both 
offensive and defensive. 

At the explosion of the mine, July 30, the regiment was early 
advanced to the crater, and set at work preparing defences. In 
this affair, the loss was severe in killed and wounded. Two 
days after the battle, a most disagreeable task fell to their lot ; 
namely, the burial of the dead. The extreme heat had caused 
the bodies of the slain to be in a most revolting condition. 

Mr. Brigham was in the severe fight of the Weldon Railroad ; 
and again, on the last day of September, at the Poplar-spring 
Church, where, from the unwieldy character of some two hun- 



JOHN BAKER BRIG HAM. 39 

dred raw German recruits attached to the Thirty-fifth, or from 
some other cause, over a hundred and fifty of its members 
fell into the hands of the rebels as prisoners, besides losing a 
large number in killed and wounded. 

At the Hatcher's-run fight, Mr. Brigham was chiefly employed 
in cutting trees for obstruction to the enemy's advance ; which 
was a work of great exposure. 

In the month of March, the regiment was stationed in a very 
exposed position at the front in what was known as " Fort Hell." 
Severe shelling and sharpshooting were here constantly ex- 
perienced. 

Mr. Brigham was engaged in the last fight of the regiment, 
April 2 ; and, on the next day, marched with flying colors into 
Petersburg. 

After the surrender of Gen. Lee's army, but little more was 
done by the Thirty-fifth except to make its way to Washington 
by boat from City Point to Alexandria, and thence by march 
to the capital. 

By the usual route, and after some stops on the way for re- 
freshment, the regiment reached Readville, Mass., on the 13th 
of June, when the men were mustered out of service. 

Mr. Brigham is thankful to have been a soldier in defence of 
the Union. He passed through some very pleasant times, and 
some pretty hard trials ; and is only sorry that sickness deprived 
him from rendering his full share of service. At present, he 
resides in Weston, Mass. 



Hezekiah N. Brown. 







^3^HIS soldier was the son of Dwight and Eliza Brown; 
|i|j, born at Rowe, Mass., Aug. 12, 1840. 

He was five feet two inches tall, of light com- 
plexion, light-brown hair, and gray eyes ; a farmer 
by occupation. 

He enlisted for nine months as fifer in the Forty- 
fourth Regiment of Infantry (Company G), on the 
15th of August, 1862; and was discharged at the 
end of his term, — June 18, 1863. 

The regiment left the State Oct. 22, and, four days after, landed 
in North Carolina. On the 29th, in company with other troops, 
it sailed for Washington, N.C. On leaving that place, Nov. 2, 
the men had their first encounter with armed rebels, which lasted 
several hours, and until near midnight, with a loss of two killed 
and eight wounded in the regiment. During the next day, they 
marched through Hamilton to Plymouth, driving the rebel skir- 
mishers. On passing through Hamilton, our men were fired 
on from the windows ; and they, in return, set fire to several 
houses. The regiment came to Newbern by water, and encoun- 
tered in its passage a severe storm, that prevented landing for 
three days. One steamer was dashed to pieces ; and all were 
very short of rations.* 

* In a letter to his friends, he says, " We had but two crackers a day for five days. I thought 
of the comfortable home and the friends I had left. But we are safe here now (at Newbern) ; 
and I expect to have a good 'riianksgiving dinner. 

" The rebels are the most dirty, ragged, unhappy looking beings that I ever saw." 
40 



HEZEKIAH N. BROWN. 4 1 

The regiment took part in the battles of Kinston, Whitehall, 
and Goldsborough, on the 14th, 1 6th, and 17th of December, 
with the loss of eight killed and thirty wounded. 

While at Newbcrn, Mr. Brown was taken sick with measles, 
and did not accompany the troops in their other service in North 
Carolina. 

In one of the engagements, he had a narrow escape from 
a bullet that grazed his head, cutting away the hair in its path. 

He now resides in the State of Vermont. 



John Moore Brummitt. 





S^V^^f4;f# R. BRUMMITT was born at Framlngham, Mass., 

~" I bodied " man, a regard for duty forbade him to 

^ remain quietly at home when help was so much 
needed in quelling a rebellion that seemed to be 
maturing into gigantic proportions. Accordingly, 
we find his name enlisted, Aug. 3, 1862, as a pri- 
vate for three years in the Thirty-ninth Regiment 
of Infantry (Company I). 

He left his home, his wife (he married Sarah S. Sanders of 
Marlborough, Dec. 24, 1854), and his child, to submit with sad- 
ness to the final orders to depart to the seat of war, Sept. 6, 1862. 
His first encampment on hostile ground was at Arlington 
Heights, Va. On moving from there, Sept. 14, to Edwards's Ferry, 
he received a gentle hint of his inability to endure severe hard- 
ship. The sultry day, the rising dust, the soldier's heavy load, 
caused him to faint. He found assistance from one of his Way- 
land friends, and overtook his comrades at their first camp in 
the evening. 

While at Edwards's Ferry, he was under the surgeon's care 
during three weeks. 

The last two months of his army duty was as a regimental 
pioneer. 



JOHN MOORE BRUM MITT. 43 

Winter-quarters at Poolesville developed a serious heart-diffi- 
culty ; and he was conveyed to Washington, D.C., where his case 
received attention at Stanton Hospital. Ten days was sufficient 
time to convince the surgeons of his disability for army service ; 
and he received his discharge Feb. 24, 1863. 

Mr. Brummitt was of dark complexion, with blue eyes and 
dark hair. He stood five feet eleven inches high, and was a 
farmer by occupation. He still resides in Wayland. 



Joseph Oscar Bullard. 




OSEPH OSCAR BULLARD became a member 
of the Union army on the 5th of August, 1862, by 
enroUing his name as a private in Capt. Rundlett's 
Company (F), in the Thirty-eighth Regiment of In- 
fantry. 

He saw the urgent necessity that some of our 
citizens on the mihtary roll should heed the call of 
the President for more troops ; and, with no eye for 
" military glory," he looked around for those who could best be 
spared. He saw on the roll some men with wives and children, 
or with aged parents dependent upon them for support ; and many 
young men like himself, on whom reposed fewer of the responsi- 
bilities of home-life. He saw, too, the shameful record that must 
be read in future if the 3'oung men of his class now quailed be- 
fore the mandate of duty, and sought inglorious shelter from the 
danger that lay in its path ; and also the happy greetings of after- 
time, should the present bear noble testimony to fidelity. His 
convictions were strong ; and no regrets now mingle with his 
experiences of the trials of army-life to cause the faintest wish 
that he had decided otherwise. 

He was of robust frame, of dark complexion and eyes, with 
black hair, and was five feet eleven and a half inches tall. His 
chief business had been agriculture. 



JOSEPH OSCAR BULLARD. 45 

He was the son of Joseph and Harriet Bullard ; born at Way- 
land, May 20, 1 84 1. Sept. 24, 1862, he left the State with his 
regiment for the seat of war. Two or three weeks were spent in 
Maryland before embarking on the boat " Baltic " for Fortress 
Monroe. Five weeks of most uncomfortable delay occurred here, 
awaiting orders. The crowded boat became the home of much 
sickness, and much ill-suppressed discontent among the men ; 
but relief came, when, on a bright morning (Dec. 4, 1862), the 
steamer weighed anchor, and proceeded on a southerly course 
with its companion fleet of fourteen transports. 

The storm-reputed coast of North Carolina was not passed, 
however, without a visit from its " king," who, for twenty-four 
hours, howled destruction at the fleet. Strong men, whose pride 
of character hitherto forbade them to recognize that foul-mouthed 
visitor, sea-sickness, succumbed for a time to his enticements, 
and let him have entire control of their gastric department.* 

The troops were permitted to land, and rest themselves for 
two weeks on that snowy-looking bank of sand. Ship Island. 

Leaving this place Dec. 29, they were landed, on the first day 
of the new year (1863), at Carrolton, on the Mississippi River, — 
four or five miles above the city of New Orleans. Here they had 
an excellent camp, and enjoyed the mild winter of Louisiana to 
their hearts' content, until March 6 ; when they joined an expedi- 
tion up the river to Port Hudson, — about a hundred and sixty 
miles above New Orleans ; the object of this movement being 
to draw the attention of the rebel forces guarding the river at 
that place, so that Admiral Farragut's fleet might run by to co- 
operate with the upper flotilla. This was done with the loss of 
"The Mississippi" (frigate), which was burned in the attempt. 



* " All but five vessels of our fleet were scattered ; and some of these- were obliged to put 
back into port for repairs." — Letter, dated Baton Rouge, Jan. 26. 



46 JOSEPH OSCAR BULLA RD. 

On the loth of March, our troops returned to New Orleans, and 
encamped at Algiers, — two miles south of that city. 

Nothing further of importance occurred until April lo, when 
orders were received to join Gen. Banks's Western Louisiana 
expedition. 

Cars were taken to Brashear City, about a hundred miles from 
New Orleans, in a westerly direction. Crossing Berwick Bay 
in a boat, the march was begun ; and soon our forces came upon 
rebel pickets, who fled in haste. After proceeding about thir- 
teen miles, the enemy was found in force behind strong intrench- 
ments at a place called Bisland. Their line extended across a 
level piece of ground lying between two bayous ; so that it was 
impossible to flank them. Thus the first trial of arms with the 
rebels was to face them, with the advantage of good breast- 
works on their side. 

The first day's fight (April 12) was by the artillery. The next 
day, our lines were moved up to good rifle-range; and infantry fir- 
ing began. The Thirty-eighth occupied part of a cane-field ; 
the canes being a foot or two high, planted on ridges five feet 
apart, and raised a foot or more. This afforded our men some 
protection while loading their muskets. The firing continued 
nearly all day ; our lines being advanced from time to time nearer 
the rebel fort. In the afternoon, one of the Wayland soldiers 
(John Mellen) was shot through the heart, and died instantly.* 

The rebels did not wait for further compliments. They evacu- 
ated during the night; and we took possession the next morning, 
capturing a few prisoners that loitered too long.t 

After the battle, the pursuit of the enemy commenced briskly. 
Never will those forced marches of from twenty-two to thirty- 

* " It was a sorrowful loss to his company ; for he was a brave soldier, and a friend to all 
that knew him." — Letter. 

t Mr. Bullard was promoted to a corporalship after this engagement. 



■JOSEPH OSCAR BULLARD. 47 

five miles per day be forgotten ; sometimes knee-deep in mud, or 
up to the armpits in water, living on four to six "hard-tack " per 
day, and with no chance to forage. The country was scoured bv 
guerillas on horseback, who were sure to pick up as prisoners 
all who strayed beyond our protection, or who chanced to fall in 
the rear from fatigue.* 

On the 20th of April, Opelousas was reached. — a distance of 
three hundred miles. The men were nearly used up with fatigue, 
and their feet badly blistered. Here a halt was made for two 
weeks, to recruit, and gather as much cotton as could be 
secured. 

The troops left. May 4, for Alexandria, — ninety-seven miles 
north, on the Red River. This march was accomplished in 
three days and a half Another fight was expected here ; but 
the Union gunboats had taken possession before our arrival. 

After living on the property of Gov. Moore for two weeks, 
our troops were ordered to Port Hudson. We reached the great 
river, twelve miles above that place, and crossed over in boats 
to Bayou Sara ; and the next day brought us, by a hard march 
in a severe storm, into position with Gen. Banks's other forces, 
then investinor this stron2:hold of the rebels, commanding^ the 
Mississippi River, second in importance only to Vicksburg, v/hich 
was at the same time invested by the Union forces under Gen. 
Grant. 

The bluff on which the rebel batteries were erected was from 
sixty to eighty feet above the surface of the river ; and the batte- 
ries extended for about two miles on its banks. They were pro- 
tected by two well-constructed lines of breastworks in irregular 
shape, conforming to the natural formation of the ground. 

* " It was amusing, while on this march, to see the white flags raised at every house we 
passed. The people were all for the Union until our rear-guard was out of sight ; then they 
were real secesh, and acted the guerilla on any of our men that chanced to fall behind." — Letter. 



48 JOSEPH OSCAR BULLARD. 

The Thirty-eighth held various positions in support of batteries, 
engineer-corps, &c., till the 27th; when it took part in the gen- 
eral but ineffectual assault on that day. The ground over which 
the regiment passed in the assault was covered with fallen trees, 
forming in some places a strong abatis. " We charged up to a 
deep ravine, which afforded protection from the terrible fire of 
grape and canister, which was so fearfully destructive, that, al- 
though we were within talking-distance of the rebel lines, no 
further attempt was made to reach them ; and we retreated at 
nightfall to our old lines." 

The daily routine of cannonading was again resorted to, with 
no further attempts to assault until June 14 ; when a grand charge 
along the whole line constituted the military programme. The 
Thirty-eighth was now in position on the right centre, — r a 
point of peculiar exposure, because there was no room in the 
nature of the ground for defiling. Its line must move over a 
ridge in the face of infantry and battery fires. 

The charge was sounded just at daylight. A ravine was 
eained that formed a natural ditch to their works ; but we could 
go no farther. The carnage was awful. In fifteen minutes. 
Company F lost eighteen men out of the thirty-four that went 
in. " We lay there during the day under a broiling sun. The 
rebels did not dare to show their heads to us ; and we as care- 
fully kept ours out of their sight. The darkness of night allowed 
us to fall back in safety." 

This assault was on Sunday. A flag of truce was sent out on 
Monday morning, with a request to remove the wounded that 
could not be recovered, and to bury the dead. It was refused ; 
and though repeated twice again on that day, and three times on 
Tuesday, the request was not granted until Wednesday, when 
the dead bodies had become very offensive. 

Previous to this last assault, the regiment had been ordered 



JOSEPH OSCAR BULLARD. 49 

out to Clinton, about twenty-five miles distant, to break up a 
rebel force that threatened the Union lines in the rear. Owing 
to the intense heat, this was the severest trial of marching yet 
found. On the first day, there were about forty men sun-struck 
within half an hour. 

After receiving intelligence of the fall of Vicksburg, the sur- 
render of Port Hudson inevitably followed, July 8, 1863, with 
its men, and munitions of war. The Thirty-eighth had been 
here forty-three days, the incidents of some of which will never 
fade from memory. 

The greater part of Gen. Banks's army was now ordered to 
Texas. Our regiment started on the 12th of July, in charge of 
a baggage-train, for Baton Rouge ; and thence by steamer to 
Donaldsonville,* sixty miles below, where it camped till July 31 ; 
and then returned by steamer to Baton Rouge, where it remained 
for the defence of the place until the close of the year. 

While stationed here, Mr. Bullard received an injury by a fall 
from, a horse he was endeavoring to tame, which produced so 
great a degree of disability for field-service, that he was trans- 
ferred to the " Veteran Reserve Corps ; " in which branch of ser- 
vice he remained to the close of the war. 

Until May, 1864, 1"^^ was stationed in the barracks below 
New Orleans : at this date he was assigned to Company H, 
Twentieth Regiment of the Veteran Reserve Corps, then sta- 
tioned at the rendezvous for rebel prisoners at Point Lookout, Md. 
Guard-duty over the prisoners was the monotonous and weari- 
some business which now occupied his time. 

Under date of Jan. 25, 1865, he writes, " We had here at one 
time twenty-five thousand prisoners : just now, we have eighteen 



* " While at Donaldsonville, Dennis Mullen, a soldier from Wayland, was taken prisoner. 
On being exchanged, he was transferred to the First Louisiana Cavalry," — Letter. 

1 



50 JOSEPH OSCAR BULLARD. 

thousand. Of the fourteen hundred sent here three days ago 
from Fort Fisher, about five hundred were boys from fifteen to 
eighteen years old, many of whom cried to go home. They 
were exchanged after keeping them three days. Some prisoners 
have been here over two years. We find thousands of them 
who say they were forced into the rebel service ; and many beg 
of our officers not to exchange them. They work willingly for 
us, and have now voluntarily built three large forts and about 
forty hospital-buildings. Very few try to escape. They do not 
seem to have the kind feelings towards each other that our men 
manifest. Nearly half of them cannot write their names." 

One prisoner demands special notice. A person of slender 
form and officer-like demeanor, a lieutenant of a Virginia bat- 
tery, was kept for several weeks before it was discovered that un- 
derneath the male garb was a female form. She had been in 
the military service of the rebels for four years. She belonged 
to one of the most respectable families, and apparently from 
purely patriotic motives disguised her sex, and patiently endured 
the hardships and braved the dangers of military life. She was 
believed to be a pure-minded though mistaken woman ; and, 
when her sex was discovered, was detailed as a nurse in the 
hospital, the duties of which station were cheerfully and faith- 
fully done. 

Mr. Bullard is now a resident of Weston, Mass. 



William Henry Butterfield. 




'ILLIAM HENRY, the eldest son of John C. 
and Mary (Ward) Butterfield, was born at Way- 
land, Dec. 25, 1840. 

He was among the few, who, at the ontbreak of 
the war, saw an imperative duty resting on the 
young men of our country to defend its imper- 
illed integrity by force of arms ; and he resolved 
to render such service as was in his power. 
He enlisted as a private soldier in Company H of the Thir- 
teenth Infantry Regiment on the 17th of July, 1861. Of this 
company Capt. William L. Clark was commander. 

In stature, Mr. Butterfield was five feet five and a half inches, 
with dark complexion, black hair and eyes, and a cordwainer 
by occupation. 

He joined the regiment at Fort Independence, Boston har- 
bor, and, on the 30th of July, proceeded to the seat of war; 
being assigned to duty in the northern part of Maryland, near 
the Potomac River. 

Here, during the pleasant season of the year, the military 
regime was by no means diiKicult. 

At the close of the year 1861, Company H, with three others, 
was stationed at Hancock, and was under expectations of a 



52 WILLIAM HENRY BUTTERFIELD. 

fight with the rebels, who had gathered in large force, and were 
destroying the railroad in that vicinity. These four companies 
were entirely inadequate to contend, and a re-enforcement was 
ordered by Gen. Kelley ; but, before their arrival, the rebels had 
accomplished their work, and retired. 

Alarms were sufficiently frequent to keep the " boys in blue " 
awake ; and they were hungry for a chance to show their cour- 
age in actual combat. 

A large part of the winter was spent at Williamsport. From 
this point, various company-movements occurred in the per- 
formance of outpost-duty, which gave our soldiers some oppor- 
tunities for skirmishing lightly with the " gray-backs." * 

Early in March, offensive movements were started by our 
forces, under Major-Gen. Banks, on the rebel side of the Potomac ; 
and the Thirteenth was ordered to the scene of action. Cross- 
ing the river, it proceeded by way of Martinsburg and Bunker 
Hill to Winchester, where it joined the main body of Gen. 
Banks's command on the 1 2th of March. This was a hard march. 
The roads were in bad condition ; and, being without tents, some 
of the nights were spent in a very uncomfortable way. But all 
the fighting about Winchester was done the day before its ar- 
rival. The rebels had been driven ; and the Thirteenth was 
ordered to provost-guard-duty in the city. On the 20th it was 
joined to Gen. Abercrombie's brigade, and marched through 
Berryville to Aldie, and thence to Centreville and Bull Run. 

During April, and until the middle of May, the chief duty 
was to guard the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. 

The latter part of May, a seemingly useless circuit was per- 
formed. Starting from Catlett's Station, the regiment reached 
Aquia Creek on the 25th by way of Fredericksburg and Fal- 

* The uniform of the rebel soldiers was of a mixed or grayish color ; and that of the Union 
soldiers, blue. 



WILLIAM HENRY BUTTERFIELD. 53 

mouth ; thence by boat up the Potomac to Alexandria, Va. ; 
and from this place by rail-cars to near the starting-point. The 
boys were glad to see so much rebel territory, but protested 
against making such visits in future with the burden of all their 
camp-furniture on their backs. 

Not much occurred in June and July ; and headquarters were 
chiefly at Front Royal and Manassas Gap. After this time, 
however, various and sometimes rapid movements were fre- 
quent ; for the military elements were in a state of unusual per- 
turbation. Gen. McClellan had failed in the great movement 
on Richmond ; and the rebels, thus relieved, turned their atten- 
tion towards Washington. Gen. Pope's command was the 
interposing Union force ; and under the rebel pressure he was 
compelled gradually to retire, and concentrate his force. This 
concentration culminated in the vicinity of Centreville ; and 
the Thirteenth found itself among the direct opponents of the 
approaching foe. The exultation of their proud advance was 
checked by Gen. Pope's victorious battle at Centreville on the 
28th of August; but on the renewal of the conflict on the 30th, 
when the rebel ranks had been strongly re-enforced, the Union 
army was compelled to retire in defeat. In this second Bull- 
run battle, as it was called, our soldier sustained his part 
through the hotly-contested day. 

As he was about leaving the field, he discovered his friend, 
Sergeant Bacon of Natick, badly wounded by a ball that had 
passed nearly through the upper part of his chest. He imme- 
diately took charge of him, and assisted him to a place of safety. 
With a pocket-knife he opened the flesh, and extracted the ball, 
which had lodged in a position to cause great pain.* Having 
dressed the wound as well as he was able, he took him to what 

* Mr. Bacon survived, and has the ball now in his possession. He is confident that he 
owes his life to Mr. Butterfield's kind attentions. 



54 WILLIAM HENRY BUTTERFIELD. 

was called the " Stone House " for shelter during the night. 
There was a large number of wounded men already there ; and, 
more than any thing else, their cries were for water to quench 
their thirst and bathe their wounds. 

Mr. Butterfield saw it to be his duty to remain, and alleviate 
the sufferings of these men. All night he employed himself in 
drawing water, and taking it in canteens to the wounded ; for 
which he received many a " God bless you ! " 

Early the next morning, a squad of rebel cavalry passed by 
the place ; and, concluding to make a call, they found our sol- 
dier at his duty among the wounded. But, not recognizing the 
necessity of having Union soldiers cared for in such a humane 
manner, they summoned Mr. Butterfield to take a " double- 
quick " march with them. He thus became a prisoner of war. 

Fortunately for him, the prison atrocities of the rebels had 
not yet been developed ; and he looked forward to only a few 
weeks of detention from service, with no extraordinary hard- 
ships to endure. He was taken first to Haymarket, where he 
remained under guard four days. He was then paroled, and 
sent to camp near Columbus, O. 

This might be considered all well enough, and a happy 
exemption from field-service ; but our soldier did not regard it 
in that light. The style of living did not agree with his sense 
of fitness : so, one favorable night, he, and a comrade named 
Shattuck, successfully eluded the vigilance of the guard ; pro- 
cured, in some way, suits of citizens' clothing; and came into the 
city of Columbus, seeking for employment at their trade. In 
this they found no difficulty, and soon earned money enough 
to pay their passage home, with no suspicion of their being at 
the same time soldiers in Uncle Sam's employ. 

Their arrival home excited great amazement among their 
friends. They proceeded at once to the office of Adjutant-Gen. 



WILLIAM HENRY BUTTERFIELD. 55 

Schouler, and stated frankly what they had done, asking his 
advice. He admired their sagacity and frankness, even if a 
Httle to the prejudice of good military discipline ; and, on as- 
surance of their desire and intention to return to service as 
soon as possible, he bade them go to their homes till notified 
of their exchange, and then report to him. 

It was nearly three months before the exchange was effected ; 
and they were then ordered to Washington, to proceed thence 
to their regiment. 

On reaching the capital, the same daring spirit which 
prompted an elopement from parole-camp seized our soldier 
again, and suggested a little " extra service " before going to 
the front. 

His father and younger brother were also soldiers in the 
Union army, and were stationed at Offutt's Cross Roads in Mary- 
land, — about fifteen or twenty miles north of the city. He re- 
solved to pay them a visit. To do this, he had guards to pass 
before leaving the city, and before entering their camp, whose 
countersigns were unknown to him, and whose vigilance he 
could not expect to elude. But, to a determined spirit like his, 
the probabilities of an arrest did not outweigh the pleasure of 
seeing his friends ; nor was the excitement of such an adventure 
without its allurements. 

Our soldier does not relate the narrow pathways he trod while 
stealing a march on some of the watchful sentinels, nor the 
statements he made to others whom he was obliged to confront 
at the word " Halt!" and the ominous "click" of the hammer 
make ready for effective use. It must suffice to say, then, that 
he reached the camp of the Thirty-ninth in safety ; had the 
pleasure of seeing his father and brother; and then, by such 
artful dodges as but few have the ability to carry out success- 
fully, he returned to Washington, and the next day proceeded. 



56 WILLIAM HENRY BUTTERFIELD. 

according to orders, to Alexandria, where he rejDorted to the 
authorities at Convalescent Camp * 

Making acquaintance here with one of the officers, he was 
invited to become cook at headquarters, and was soon detailed 
regularly for that position. He fulfilled the duties of this ap- 
pointment for about four months. 

He had for some time been troubled by what was supposed 
to be a liver-difficulty ; and it began to appear that he was un- 
fitted for further field-service. An examination by the sur- 
geon of the department resulted in a discharge for disability, 
signed Feb. 5, 1863. 

After his return home, he re-enlisted for one hundred days, 
Aug. 6, 1863; and served his time as patrol in the city of 
Alexandria, and as picket on the Orange and Alexandria Rail- 
road, without incident of much note. His final discharge was 
given Feb. 11, 1864. 

Mr. Butterfield resides in Wayland, engaged in shoe-manu- 
facturing. He was married to Mary Hersey of Wayland in 
1866. 

* On reaching Washington, he went to the provost-marshal, and told him just what he had 
done. The officer was in good humor, and cautioned our soldier against repeating such an 
offence against military rules. " But," said he, " seeing you have done it so adroitly this time, 
I will excuse it ; " handing him at the same time a pass to proceed. 



John Calvin Butterfield. 




S introductory to the narrative of Mr. Butterfield, 
there are two points of interest worthy of men- 
tion, — first, he was the only Wayland soldier who 
volunteered when beyond the period of life re- 
quired for military duty ; and, second, his is the 
only instance among the citizens of the town 
where the patriotic spirit so pervaded a family as 
to prompt the father and two sons to voluntary 
service in the army at the same time. 

Other men could have been far easier spared from their fami- 
lies than Mr. Butterfield : but he paused not to debate relative 
positions and obligations ; he chose, instead, the nobler part of 
setting an example of patriotic devotion, by enlisting with his 
second son as a private soldier in Company I (Capt. Brigham), 
of the Thirty-ninth Regiment of Infantry, Aug. i, 1862. 

His parents were William and Lavina (Case) Butterfield ; and 
he was born at Antrim, N.H., on the eighteenth day of April, 
1816. 

He was five feet five and a half inches tall, of light com- 
plexion, with gray hair and blue eyes. 

Not the least painful period in the life of a soldier whose ma- 
tured mind and family relationships lead him carefully to count 
the cost, and look fairly at the chances of ever seeing his loved 



67 



58 JOHN CALVIN BUTTERFIELD. 

ones again, is when the last adieu must be spoken before the 
uncertain pathway is finally taken. To see the tearfial group of 
wife and children, and to utter the parting word, makes emotion 
both manly and heroic. 

This trial overcome, we pass on with our soldier to the capi- 
tal of his country ; which was reached on the eighth day of Sep- 
tember. 

The next day, the regiment proceeded, under order of Gen. 
Casey, to Camp Chase, on Arlington Heights. Mr. Butterfield 
and some others had already found the weight of their well- 
stuffed knapsacks to be a serious drawback to their comfort on 
a march, and, with a wise sagacity, chartered a team to relieve 
them on their first tramp. On their way, they met the return 
of our defeated forces at the second Bull-run battle. " It was 
not a very inspiring idea, that we, who now looked so fair in our 
' suits of blue,' might soon become war-stained and rough like 
the veterans who passed us." — Letter. 

Orders soon came to march into Maryland. Recrossing the 
Potomac by the chain-bridge, the regiment proceeded in light 
marching-order to Poolesville, Md., and was assigned to picket- 
duty chiefly, for the remainder of the month of September, on 
the Potomac River, that separated the hostile ranks. 

The first " screwing-up of courage " to meet the foe was one 
day during the second week of October. Stuart's rebel cav- 
alry had crossed the Potomac at a point about three miles above 
Conrad's Ferry ; and the Thirty-ninth was ordered to move up, 
and intercept their return. At this news there were some pale 
faces amidst a general and commendable readiness to do marvel- 
lous deeds of daring ; but the rebels wisely withdrew before 
our boys could get a sight of them. 

While Company I was on picket at Muddy Branch, near Sen- 
eca Falls, the Wayland boys were much gratified by an unex- 



JOHN CALVIN BUTTERFIELD. 59 

pected but brief visit of their townsman, Mr. William Heard. 
It was long remembered with pleasure. 

About the ist of November, Col. Davis was intrusted with 
the command of the brigade ; and Lieut.-Col. Pierson became 
the regimental commander.* 

While at Offutt's Cross Roads, Mr. Butterfield was detailed to 
take care of the sick. Pneumonia had become fearfully preva- 
lent and fatal. Not less than six of the regiment died of that 
disease in a week. 

The gloom resulting from this condition was partially lifted 
by the reception in camp of citizens Sherman, Kimball, and 
Fay, who brought as a token of friendly interest from the 
people of Natick a substantial Thanksgiving dinner for the 
regiment. 

While in this vicinity, Mr. Butterfield had the satisfaction of 
rescuing from drowning his first lieutenant, who, on a " pitchy- 
dark " night, had stepped from the side of a lock into deep water 
in a canal ; but his comrade, John Flynn, could not be saved by 
his exertions. 

Winter-quarters were fixed near Poolesville, Md. Under date 
of Feb. 24, 1863, ^^- Butterfield writes, " We have a very pleas- 
ant camp on a high plain close to the little town of Poolesville. 
We owe much of our comparatively good health at present to 
the excellent locality, and no less to the cleanliness enforced by 
our officers. Every morning, each street must be swept; and 
occasionally all the tents must be taken down, and thoroughly 
aired." 

* In a letter dated at Poolesville, April 6, 1863, Mr. Butterfield writes, " Col. Davis is al- 
ways kind, accommodating, and pleasant, yet strict in discipline. He has made himself be- 
loved by all. He has shown by his methods that the best discipline is better attained by love 
than fear. 

" He has a tall, commanding figure. 

" Lieut.-Col. Pierson is the opposite of Col. Davis in many respects." 



6o JOHN CALVIN BUTTERFIELD. 

Extensive plans for mutual improvement were here arranged, 
chiefly under direction of Chaplain French.* 

During the winter, Mr. Butterfield was detailed to cook rations 
for the company. 

Orders came the middle of April to march for Washington ; 
and the movement began in the midst of a drenching rain. 

On arriving at the city, the Thirty-ninth was assigned to the 
Martindale barracks for quarters, on the north side of the city. 

The renovation of these barracks^ from their unhealthy sur- 
roundings and untidy appearance was the first duty ; mingled 
'with which, and constituting the reason of this occupancy of 
the capital, was patrol duty and guard at the public buildings. 

Opportunities abounded of seeing the dignitaries of the nation 
and the public, edifices of the place. The regiment was, for the 
time being, the elite soldiery of the city, with polished arms, 
bright uniforms, and white gloves. 

But these halcyon days were soon over. On the 9th of July, 
orders were received to take cars for Harper's Ferry ; and from 
there the Maryland Heights were reached. Here the Thirty- 
ninth was brigaded anew, under Gen. Briggs, with the Eighth, 
Forty-sixth, and Fifty-first Regiments ; and formed a part of the 
second division of the First Army Corps. 

In about a week, the brigade crossed the Potomac on pontoon- 
bridges at Berlin, and passed by rapid marches to Rappahannock 
Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. In this 
march, which ended on the 27th of July, several streams were 
forded ; and the effects became evident in the person of Mr. 
Butterfield by rheumatic affections, and, what at this time was 
more serious, congestion of the lungs. He was taken to the 
division-hospital. Four days elapsed without improvement in 

* " Our religious privileges are very favorable ; and we are trying to establish a regimental 
library." — Letter. 



JOHN CALVIN BUTTERFIELD. 6 1 

his health ; and he was then put on board freight-cars for Wash- 
ington. It was a long and hard ride for our sick soldier ; and 
it was hard too, after he arrived weary and faint, to be obliged 
to wait three hours, until near midnight, before ambulances came 
to take him and his comrades to hospital. One alleviating cir- 
cumstance should be mentioned. He had crawled out of the 
cars, and was reclining, late in the evening, on the sidewalk. A 
good lady came along, and, seeing his sorry plight, took him into 
her house near by, gave him a cup of tea, and the use of a 
lounge until the ambulances came. It will be remembered of 
her in the language of the Great Teacher, " I was a stranger, 
and ye took me in." 

At Emory Hospital our soldier found good treatment, which 
he so much needed. The bath, the nice cot-bed, and the clean 
hospital-clothing, made him feel like a new person ; while the 
repose, the medical attention, and the nursing care, revived his 
energies, and he soon began to amend. 

He found here that the matron and the superintendent of 
wardrobe (Mrs. Freeman and daughter) were Massachusetts 
women, who were happy to give him their best attentions. 
Senator Wilson, with whom he was personally acquainted, made 
him frequent visits. As soon as he was able, Mr. Butterfield 
was detailed to take charge of the culinary department of the 
hospital. 

He occupied this position, with full acceptance, for several 
months, and until his discharge for disability, which was signed 
Feb. 1 1, 1864. 

Wliile in the army, Mr. Butterfield held in great detestation 
those men at the North, who under cover of a desire for peace, 
and in other ways, betrayed their sympathies for the rebels. 
One of his letters from the army has the following : — 

" He professed to be a good Union man, yet all the while was 



62 JOHN CALVIN BUTTERFIELD. 

abetting and encouraging the rebels. Now that he is caught, I 
hope he will be punished. Such as he surely deserve it more 
than they who openly and avowedly are traitors to their 
country. 

" Copperheadism at the North is more disastrous in its results 
than a severe defeat in battle." 

Mr. Butterfield was married to Mary Ward of Wayland, July 
19, 1836; and was the father of eleven children when he 
enlisted. 



Charles Benjamin Butterfield. 




'HARLES BENJAMIN was the second son of 
John C. and Mary (Ward) Butterfield. He en- 
listed as a soldier in the Union army on the same 
day with his father; viz., Aug. i, 1862. He had 
just passed his eighteenth year ; and it is to be pre- 
sumed, that, in common with all young men of his 
age, the natural desire for novelty, and especially 
the inspiriting effect of military display, with its 
promise of glory, had their legitimate effect in drawing him 
into the ranks. But, on the other hand, it is not to be doubted, 
that, whatever motives urged him at first, no man would " hold 
to the grit " through tramp and battle and prison-pen as did this 
soldier, true as steel to his country, without a genuine patriotic 
love for that country, and a vital determination to preserve its 
integrity at whatever hazard of personal interest. 

In the same company with his father, and passing through 
the same general experiences with him, until sickness at Rap- 
pahannock Station removed him from the regiment at the close 
of July, 1863, it would seem a needless repetition to recount in 
this what has just been related in his father's narrative. 

Taking up the story of his army-life from that point, we find, 
that, for several months subsequent to the Gettysburg fight, the 
two great armies in Virginia were in constant manoeuvre to gain 



03 



64 CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 

advantage of each other, without coming to any general battle, 
though with frequent skirmishing and minor engagements. The 
Thirty-ninth was exempt from actually meeting the enemy ; but 
it is believed that no body of men did more tramping in the 
same period. 

The twenty-eighth distinct march, after leaving Rappahannock 
Station, Aug. i, brought the regiment, with the five army corps 
composing Gen. Meade's command, in front of Gen. Lee's army, 
strongly posted on the east side of Mine Run. This was on 
the 28th of November. Every thing foretokened a terrible 
battle ; and the men were held in suspense in line of battle for 
two whole days and nights, and until the afternoon of the third 
day, when Gen. Meade declined the contest, and withdrew his 
forces. 

The month of December was spent on the banks of the Rap- 
pahannock, till near its close ; when a movement was made 
to the railroad at Mitchel's Station for winter-quarters. For 
several days, no tents were provided : the weather was cold and 
stormy, and there was much suffering in consequence. But the 
boys were lively in the construction of log-Kuts, and, in two 
weeks, were well fitted up for winter. Several miles of the north 
bank of the Rapidan River were assigned them for picket-duty ; 
it being the extreme extension of our army-line in that direction. 
It was a long and wearisome encampment of nearly five 
months ; and the movement out of camp at the close of April 
was heartily welcomed. 

It was soon rumored that the next campaign would be under 
Gen. Grant's direction ; and every one knew that he was for 
solid work, at whatever cost. That work soon began ; and the 
whole territory in the vicinity of the Rapidan seemed to swarm 
with masses of armed men, moving in a southerly direction. 

Having crossed that river, and proceeded several miles, the 



CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 65 

front lines of Gen. Lee's army were encountered ; and, on the 
5th of May, the rapid firing a short distance in front told 
of the work of war. In the afternoon of that day was the first 
regular experience of a battle to the boys of the Thirty-ninth. 
They were supporting a front line, which was being driven by 
the foe ; and their turn soon came to take the front, and make a 
charge on the enemy. It did not prove very successful. The 
firing was terribly rapid ; but the protection afforded by trees 
saved the men from severe harm. The regiment was at the front 
again the next day, but had no engagement. 

On the following night, a hard march brought our forces to 
confront the enemy at Laurel Hill. Here, with fixed bayonets, 
the enemy's cavalry and batteries were driven : but their infantry 
line proved much too strong for us ; and a retreat in confusion 
resulted in severe loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. After 
two days of rest, the regiment was again ordered to the front, 
and had a very exposed situation : for six or seven hours, it re- 
ceived a severe artillery and infantry fire. 

Spottsylvania was reached on the morning of the 14th, after 
several hours' marching in the darkness so dense as to render 
all objects invisible. The fighting was here done by others, al- 
though our regiment was exposed to shells and bullets. 

There was from this time to the 23d of May continual move- 
ment and cross-movement to the left, with much labor in throw- 
ing up breastworks, of which the Thirty-ninth did its full share. 

At that date, and on crossing the North Anna River, the 
enemy was encountered in force. Our line was charged by 
them ; but, with the aid of a battery, their ranks were completely 
shattered. A line of works on the river was erected, and occu- 
pied the next three days ; when a further move to the left 
brought a renewed conflict with the foe at Bethesda Church on 
the 29th. The line of battle was formed, and our regiment 



66 CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTEREIELD. 

detailed as skirmishers. Unable to hold the line, our men were 
driven back in confusion. Works were thrown up in defence, 
and occupied the next five days, under some shelling, but no 
assault. 

Several minor movements occurred during the following week, 
of no special consequence, but having the usual accompaniments 
of shells, bullets, and breastwork-making. 

On the 1 2th of June the Chickahominy River was reached, 
and crossed at midnight ; and our column moved up its southern 
bank to White-oak Swamp, where the enemy was partially en- 
gaged and driven. Breastworks were built, which were evacuated 
during the night ; and the march continued to the James, which 
was crossed the next morning. 

Soon after arriving in front of Petersburg, the regiment was 
massed in readiness for a charge on the works near the Norfolk 
Railroad : but, for some reason, the attack was postponed ; and 
the men were set to intrenching near the Marshall House. It 
was an exposed place ; and they had to lie under cover by day, 
and work at night. Such was the position until June 24, when 
a movement to the left was made under severe shelling. Here 
the regiment built heavy works of defence at their quarters, and 
did their full amount of picket-duty at the front until July 11. 

It was in these works that Col. Davis lost his life by the ex- 
plosion of a shell. 

The Weldon-railroad battle occurred on the i8th of August, 
in which the Thirty-ninth took a conspicuous part, and was 
subjected to a most terrific infantry and artillery fire. Our line, 
however, did not flinch until it was ascertained that the rebels 
had penetrated its rear. 

Temporary works were constructed, and held through the 
night. On the 19th, our line was charged ; and the enemy were 
handsomely repulsed in front. The infantry-firing had ceased ; 



CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 67 

and our soldier was sitting in the trench, enjoying a drink of 
coffee, and at the same time perusing a letter received from a 
sister the previous evening. He had just read her kind caution, 
" Charlie, don't let them take you prisoner," when the bullets 
came whizzing through the air from the rear. The rebels had 
found openings on the right and left of our position, and were 
close upon our regiment. The order from its officers was, 
" Every one take care of himself" 

Mr. Butterfield seized his gun, and started for the rear. He 
had gone but a few rods, when he saw a comrade attacked by 
two rebels. He thought it a good chance to secure perhaps two 
prisoners, as well as release his friend. When within a few feet, 
the rebels called on him to surrender. He returned the com- 
pliment, at the same time cocking his gun. But one of the rebels 
was too quick : his piece was levelled and discharged first ; but 
the only effect on our soldier was from the powder that blackened 
and scorched his neck. He then levelled, and fired at his foe, 
but did not stop to see who was killed or wounded. He now 
started to run away from an approaching squad, but came face 
to face with another. 

" That's a fair catch ! " shouted their officer. " Yes," said our 
soldier, " it is," as he handed them his gun. This squad had 
captured a dozen or more of our men. Very soon, our soldier's 
eyes being wide open for chances to better his condition, he was 
among the missing, and was congratulating himself on a lucky 
escape, when he came upon a company of about seventy rebels, 
whose orders for him to halt, seconded by several levelled 
muskets, made it a matter of expediency to comply. He was 
now, indeed, a prisoner of war. 

With others, he was taken about a mile to a prisoners' camp, 
where he found nineteen of his own company, and about two 
hundred others of his regiment. The old adage, that " misery 



68 CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 

loves company," was here verified. It was certainly an allevia- 
tion to know that the misfortune of being prisoners was not 
due to their special fault. 

In the afternoon and evening, it was rainy. Some of our 
men had retained their blankets ; and, by sharing these, nearly 
all were nicely in bivouac ; when the corporal of the guard came 
round, and, like an inhuman wretch, demanded and obtained 
every blanket of our men ; and, the next day, every thing but 
cap, blouse, shirt, and pants, had to be given up. 

The prisoners were then marched to the city of Petersburg, 
and placed in a large building. It was now the third day since 
their capture, and they had taken nothing to eat. Here they 
received three hard-tack apiece. 

The next day the prisoners were crowded into freight-cars, 
and kept standing until three o'clock the next morning, when 
they were conveyed to Richmond, and put into the notorious 
Libby Prison ; the equally notorious ruffian, Dick Turner, 
counting them at the entrance, and giving each a kick or a 
push, or both, as they entered. A wash-tub of bean-soup was 
brought in ; and each one helped himself as best he could. 
There were seventeen hundred prisoners entered the same day ; 
and they occupied two floors of the building, which was in a 
most offensive condition. 

Much to Mr. Butterfield's relief, he remained here but one 
night. With three hundred others, he was removed to a build- 
ing across the street, where they were stripped to the skin to be 
examined for valuables (especially money) that were thought to 
be secreted. Among other things he had a "housewife," in 
which he kept some choice photographs of his friends, and other 
articles. He asked that he might retain it ; and, though refused 
at first, he afterwards found it on the floor, and kept it. This, 
with a tin mustard-box, was all, besides the clothing he wore, that 



CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 69 

he now possessed. The search being over, the prisoners were 
taken to Belle Isle, around which flowed the waters of the 
James. Its area was about five acres. It was entirely destitute 
of buildings. A guard of old men and boys, who were unfit for 
field-service, was stationed every twenty feet ; many of whom 
seemed desirous to catch a prisoner across the " dead-line," that 
they might have the honor of shooting a "damned Yankee," 
as the Union soldiers were almost invariably called. A plank 
reached across a ditch (within the dead-line), over which they 
passed to get water. One day, as Sergeant French of Com- 
pany G was crossing, he lost his balance, and fell into the ditch ; 
and while he was getting out, he was shot dead by a boy four- 
teen years old. The same boy, the next day, ran his bayonet 
into the leg of a prisoner named Hardy, for no offence whatever. 

The prisoners were without shelter for two months ; but, the 
weather being warm, they did not suffer much, except in storms, 
and on some of the November nights. The last month of the 
three that they were here, a lot of old canvas was brought to 
them to be used for shelter in the best way their ingenuity 
could devise. 

Their greatest trial was want of sufficient rations. One- 
quarter of a pound of coarse corn-bread, and about two ounces 
of meat, if it could be called by that name, made a day's supply 
to each man. Mr. Butterfield had several times the single eye 
of an animal served to him, which hunger forced him to eat. 
Diarrhoea was a prevailing sickness ; and, towards the close of 
the time, ten or twelve deaths per day would be the average. 

One prisoner, a New-Hampshire man, had volunteered to 
aid the rebels in raising a flagstaff. The patriotism of his fel- 
low-prisoners could not stand this ; and they gave the man a 
severe pounding, which cost them, in turn, the absence of rations 
for three days. 



70 ' CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 

At the end of three months, several hundreds were packed 
into freight-cars, — seventy men in each, so that it was impossi- 
ble to maintain any other than a standing position, — and started 
thus for Salisbury, N. C. On reaching Greensborough they 
were released from their torture, and marched into a field without 
food or shelter. It was very cold ; and one man was found 
chilled to death the next morning. Without rations, they were 
started for the cars the next morning, more dead, and stiff with 
the cold, than alive. Mr. Butterfield had a thimble, which he 
swapped with a boy for four small apples ; and these helped 
allay the gnawings of hunger. 

Salisbury prison-pen was reached at about five o'clock, p.m. 
The men had been told that they would have barracks for quar- 
ters here. Imagine the disappointment, when, on being turned 
into the yard, they found about four thousand prisoners already 
there, more than three-fourths of whom were unsheltered, and 
looking more miserable than themselves! If indignation could 
have availed, it would have burst in vengeful fury on the guards ; 
but, being weak and defenceless, nothing could be done but to 
submit to the rough fortunes of war. 

Holes were dug in the ground, using hands for shovels, and 
side-chambers excavated, to make shelter from the freezing cold. 
Snow and hail, and cold rain-storms, were frequent. 

A day's rations here was a half-pound of bread per man, with 
a small piece of meat once in three or four weeks. Rice-soup 
was served out about as often also as the meat. It was insuf- 
ficient to support life ; and, day by day, the squads were thinned 
by deaths. These squads, of one hundred men each, were the 
basis on which rations were issued ; and the boys soon found 
devices by which they could draw rations for their dead com- 
rades by what they termed "flanking" during the count: in 
other words, some of the first counted in the files would slyly 



CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 71 

pass to the rear, and be counted a second time under another 
name. 

Our soldier made up his mind to live through it, and to make 
the best of circumstances. He was well acquainted with the 
sergeant of the ninth squad (his was the eighth of the fifth 
division). He found means to appropriate a pair of shoes that 
had belonged to a dead comrade ; and these he gave to the 
sergeant, who was bare-footed, on condition of being allowed to 
fall into his squad after being counted in his own, and thus 
secure an extra ration. He answered to the name Butterjield 
in the eighth squad, and May in the ninth. He also secured 
another extra ration for a dead man, for whom, while sick, he had 

drawn, by calling his name " R , sick in a tent." This call 

was continued for several weeks after the man had been buried. 
Our soldier ate two rations himself, and gave the other to a 
friend. 

Mr. Butterfield had the reputation of being the liveliest boy 
in the yard, and held the title of Colonel among the prisoners. 
It is not to be supposed that all his tricks are told ; but the fol- 
lowing will serve as another specimen of getting an extra 
ration : — 

The nurses in the hospital-quarters were in the habit of tak- 
ing the rations of the sick, always when not wanted, and some- 
times when otherwise they would have been used, and selling 
them to their fellow-prisoners in the yard for any thing they had 
to offer in exchange. Having a stick which he used as a cane, 
our soldier approached one of these bread-sellers, who, on pre- 
senting a loaf for inspection, received a smart cut across the 
wrist with the cane. The loaf dropped, and was seized by our 
" lively boy," who made good his retreat. 

It was one of the worst features of prison-life that it tended 
to harden the best sympathies of human nature, and stifle the 



72 CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 

moral sense. Men would steal from each other without remorse ; 
and all new-comers were the special prey to the old residents. 

One other feature of rebel treatment was to deprive the pris- 
oners of two and sometimes three days' rations on such public 
days as Fasts or Thanksgivings, and then try to induce them 
to enlist in their army, or serve them in some way, with promises 
of better fare. Catholic priests were especially active on such 
occasions to induce foreigners (Catholics) to leave the prison ; 
and they were too often successful. 

The rebel general Johnston, also, came into the prison-pen, en- 
deavoring to persuade the men to join the rebel service. The 
" dead-cart," loaded with bodies, was passing out at the gate ; 
when our soldier, pointing to it, said to the general, " I'd sooner 
take my chance on that cart than go with you ! " which brought 
a hearty cheer from his comrades. Gen. Johnston only replied, 
" You'll probably have your choice complied with." 

The weather became so cold, that frozen hands and feet were 
frequent ; and many were found actually chilled to death. As a 
partial alleviation, some fragments of old tents were distributed ; 
and, late in the winter, some large tents made their appearance, 
much to the relief of the men. 

To be sick there was to die ; and death was a welcome relief 
to many a poor fellow. The average number of deaths was 
about fifty per day. On one day, a hundred and twenty-four 
were reported as having died within twenty-four hours. 

The same strictness of guard, and an unfeeling desire to shoot 
defenceless men, pervaded this place as at Belle Isle. A lively 
time occurred on one occasion, when the relief-guard was attacked 
by the prisoners armed with sticks of wood. Twenty or thirty 
muskets were secured, and used effectively for a short time ; but 
the disturbance was quelled by a free discharge of rifles from 
the guard, and of three cannon, which sent grape and canister 



CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 73 

among the prisoners. The plan for escape totally failed, with a 
loss of several prisoners killed, and a large number wounded. 
Two rebels were killed, and others wounded. It was a pitiful 
affair, resulting in greater strictness of regulations, and conse- 
quent discomfort to all the prisoners. 

But the darkest night must yield to dawn ; and the dawning 
of the day of release was at hand for these prison-tortured men. 

On the 2 2d of February, about five thousand of those in the 
worst condition were ordered into line, and the news communi- 
cated to them that they were to receive two days' rations, and be 
paroled. Many of these men were in a most wretched state of 
destitution, sick and weak, haggard and ghastly. 

To some, the news of their release was completely overpow- 
ering : between twenty and thirty dropped dead in the ranks 
from the excitement. An inexpressible thrill passed through 
every heart. 

Our soldier, up to the last, secured his double rations ; and, as 
he passed out for the last time by Major McGee (the command- 
ant of the guard), he tauntingly held up his extras, and with bit- 
terest feelings of indignation gave him his last words of maledic- 
tion. 

A day's march of eight miles brought them to bivouac in the 
woods, where fires were made for the night. Here Charlie 
Williams, an intimate friend of Mr. Butterfield, gave out, and 
was left the next morning to perish alone. 

The march was resumed in a cold rain and hail storm. Mr. 
Butterfield had nothing on his feet ; and, during the fifteen miles 
of tramping this day, he left tracks of blood at every step. In 
their eagerness to get on, the prisoners crossed a railroad-bridge 
by a plank so narrow, that their guard dared not follow. The 
bivouac the second night was under chilling circumstances. But 
the rebel colonel in charge was a humane man. He ordered 



74 CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 

the men to take a new picket-fence for fuel, notwithstanding the 
protest of its rebel owner. On the third day, Greensborough 
was reached. It was still storming and cold ; and the men were 
marched to a woods three miles from the city, where rousing 
fires were kindled, by which they passed the night. 

Cars were taken the next day ; and, on reaching Raleigh, they 
had their choice, — to either stop until rations could be procured, 
or to proceed at once on their way to the Union lines. The 
desire to be restored to the protection of the stars and stripes 
prompted an acceptance of the latter. At noon the next day, 
the glad sight of the old flag greeted them. Our rebel guard 
cursed the "niggers,"* while the prisoners shouted "hurrahs" 
to the best of their ability. 

Their deplorable condition elicited commiseration on every 
side. A cup of coffee and two hard-tack to each man was all 
that the prudent advice of the surgeons allowed for the first 
Union meal, with promise of a regular increase, which was duly 
performed. 

After four days at Wilmington, Mr. Butterfield and eight hun- 
dred others took passage on a steam-transport for Annapolis, 
where, after three days spent in trying to cross the bar, and a 
very rough voyage of eight days, a landing was effected. 

On nearing the pier, a gentleman called for the names of 
Massachusetts men among the prisoners. No one knew the 
reason, but supposed some good thing was to happen. When 
our soldier gave his name, " That's the man I want," said the 
stranger. It was Mr. E. E. Kelley, a friend of Mr. Butterfield 's 
father, who had been telegraphed to look out for his arrival. 

This friend took our soldier to a comfortable home, where he 
found Miss Freeman,! who was greatly interested in his welfare ; 
and every thing was done for his comfort. 

* It was a division of United-States colored troops that they first met. 
t Named in his father's narrative. 



CHARLES BENJAMIN BUTTERFIELD. 75 

A thorough cleaning-up, with a suit of new clothing and 
good diet, made such a change as cannot well be imagined. 

After about three weeks, he returned home for thirty days. 
In the midst of the excitement of congratulations from friends, 
he was prostrated by an attack of fever, during several days of 
which his life was despaired of His furlough was extended; 
and on his recovery he reported to Surgeon-Gen. Dale at Boston, 
who sent him to Worcester. He was an inmate of a hospital 
here for about three months, until he received his discharge, 
with the exception about to be related. 

Not recognizing the absolute necessity of remaining here 
when he was well enough to be elsewhere, and being tired of 
acting in the capacity of cook, he suddenly disappeared one 
morning, and made his way home. A day at home sufficed to 
gratify his wishes in seeing " the folks : " and he returned by the 
same way he passed out ; viz., over a breach in the enclosing fence ; 
in which act he was arrested, taken before the surgeon, and com- 
mitted to the guard-house. It was the first time he had been 
under military arrest : but he did not care ; for he felt sure that 
one result of his visit home would be an early discharge. And, 
true to his expectations, he received an honorable release from 
further military service the next day, duly signed, and dated 
July 20, 1865. 

Thus ended the army-life of this soldier, whose varied experi- 
ence will mark him as having endured much more than the 
average for his country's salvation in her years of peril. 

He was born at Wayland, June 17, 1844; was five feet five 
inches tall, of dark complexion, black hair and eyes, and by 
occupation a shoemaker. 

He was married, Feb. 5, 1868, to Caroline D. Fairbanks of 
Wayland, and is now a resident of that town. 



Charles Henry Campbell. 




URING the earlier stages of the war, there were 
men whom neither the love of novelty, nor the 
prospect of large pay, nor yet the desire of 
military fame, could tempt to leave their business, 
their quiet homes, and the endearments of family, 
for the smallest possible period of army-life, with 
its uncivilized conditions of harsh and cruel ex- 
perience. And there were men, too, whose 
sense of duty was so strong, that in view of all that army-life 
had to offer of peril, of discomfort, and chances of death in its 
worst forms, they could not be persuaded by friendship, nor 
hired by money, to remain at home when their country was in 
danger. To both these classes belonged Charles H. Campbell. 

He had a " will and a way of his own ; " and that " will " was, 
first to see that he had a country, in which he and others could 
enjoy all the sacred rights of freedom as citizens while living, 
and, dying, bequeath it as the richest inheritance to their chil- 
dren. And his " way" was, to dally not with circumstances, but 
go at once to the front, with the patriot's determined ardor to 
do or die in the conflict for right and justice and good govern- 
ment against the armed anarchy that madly rushed for their 
destruction. 

Loving hearts sought to persuade him to accept a substitute. 



76 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 77 

One friendly hand proffered him a tempting sum of money if 
he would remain at home, and allow himself to fulfil the duties 
of a son, on whom the waning life of a widowed mother might 
lean for comfort and support. " No, no ! " came from his lips, 
though it agonized his heart to feel that the higher responsibilities 
to his country demanded such sacrifices at the outset. 

None who heard the brief statement of his fixed determina- 
tion, at a public meeting of his fellow-citizens on the 30th of 
July, 1862, and his simple invitation to others to come forward 
and enrol their names as volunteers, can ever forget the scene, 
as he led the way, followed by other young men, to the desk of 
the recruiting-officer. The hall, so still the moment before, now 
shook with bursts of prolonged applause. Thus did his soldier- 
life begin. 

It should be stated that he provided a substitute, not for his 
place as a soldier, but to take charge of his large farm, and so 
far as possible, in the person of a friendly family connection, to 
occupy his place at the beside of sickness, and in aid of his 
wife in her arduous duties in a family of four children, the 
youngest of whom was three years of age. 

Under such circumstances, he went to his duties in Company 
D, of the Thirty-fifth Regiment of Infantry, as a private soldier. 
Mr. Campbell held a prominent place in the feelings of respect 
among the boys from Wayland (there were thirteen Wayland 
soldiers in this regiment) ; and they ever found in him a reliable 
friend to counsel them in difficulty, and to sympathize and comfort 
them in their hours of sickness and trial. 

While in camp, and passing city after city en route to the 
capital, he saw but little to record. He could behold a dismem- 
bered community of States ; he could see the haughty South- 
rons banded together at first in secret, and now, by open 
declaration and act, engaged in destroying the best of govern- 



78 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

ments ; he could observe with care the dark cloud of slavery, on 
which was based their unhappy designs : but he could scarcely 
see aught else while the great work was before him of aiding 
to crush the Rebellion and harmonize the discordant elements. 
The first week's encampment on hostile soil brought ample 
experience in company-drill, and no small amount of fatigue- 
duty in constructing lines of defence. 

He was not averse to adventure, and volunteered, while at 
Arlington Heights, to join a scouting-party for the capture of 
two rebel officers seen lurking in the vicinity. But two days 
and nights of tramp and vigil failed to secure the prizes sought. 

Leaving tents, and, in light marching-order, proceeding to join 
Gen. Burnside's corps in the north of Maryland to expel Gen. 
Lee's forces, was full of incident, and, in some sense, of pleasure, 
to our soldier ; for he saw the probability of soon having a 
chance of striking heavy blows at the Rebellion. After he was 
fairly in the midst of avowed rebels, he recognized the propriety 
of making the best of the circumstances for his own comfort and 
that of his comrades, even if the foe were sometimes the loser. 
To conquer an enemy implies more, sometimes, than mere 
strength, or skill of arms. His force may be weakened by cut- 
ting off supplies of sustenance, no less than by thinning his 
ranks by well-directed shots. And it was also in accordance 
with Col. Wild's orders and instructions, that foraging in an 
enemy's territory, to the extent of all needful demands, would be 
permitted, while all wanton waste of material would be discoun- 
tenanced, that our soldier occasionally helped himself, and aided 
his comrades, in procuring some extra supplies. 

His first prize, however, called forth no little bantering from 
his comrades. The rooster taken so slyly one night, and giving 
promise of such a nice breakfast, proved so refractory in the 
culinary operations, that the carcass of the aged victim escaped 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 79 

mastication entirely ; and a frugal meal of hard-tack and coffee 
had to suffice : it was well spiced, however, with jokes. Before 
reaching South Mountain, the Thirty-fifth was brigaded under 
Gen. Ferrero. When within about a mile of the enemy, the 
brigade halted for the night without fires ; but their position 
was discovered by the enemy, who commenced shelling, but 
doing no damage that night. 

The fighting began the next day (Sept. 14). The Thirty-fifth 
was ordered in late in the afternoon. There was no flinching 
by any one. Mr. Campbell says, " I experienced none of those 
peculiar feelings said to be so prevalent on a first fight. I felt 
perfectly cool and self-reliant." As the first advance was made on 
the enemy. Col. Wild's orders were reiterated by the line and 
non-commisioned officers, and finally by every private ; and it is 
said that the noise thus made frightened the foe from his posi- 
tion, " under a belief that a whole division was advancing instead 
of a regiment." 

During a part of the engagement, the Thirty-fifth was shal- 
tered behind a stone wall, within good range of a line of the 
rebels ; and the men delivered their fire with rapidity and success, 
as shown the next morning by the rebel dead left there. Mr. 
Campbell fired thirty rounds. The action was continued until 
late in the evening ; and he got entirely separated from his com- 
pany in his eagerness to give shot for shot with the foe, aiming at 
a gun-flash in the evening as the most probable way to render 
effective service. The day's experience confirmed his theories 
of personal conduct in action, and gave him assurance that he 
was not out of place in the ranks as a soldier. 

Keeping close to the retiring foe on the next day disclosed 
the fact of their hasty retreat by the number of their wounded 
left by the wayside uncared for, many of whom had died during 
the night. 



8o CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

The rebel general had resolved not to retire without a more 
decisive battle ; and he accordingly massed his forces in excel- 
lent position on the ridges of the right bank of Antietam Creek, 
— a mountain-stream quite deep in some places, but fordable in 
others. With this creek between him and the advancing Union 
army, and the natural advantages well improved by his batteries 
and troops, he had a reasonable expectation of a successful 
encounter ; but the fierce trial on the 1 7th proved otherwise, even 
with one entire corps of our men (Porter's) held in reserve, which, 
had they been judiciously used, would have placed Lee's entire 
force in our hands. Ferrero's brigade lay exposed to random 
shots and some direct shelling until about noon, when they were 
ordered to cross a bridge, and take and hold a position in front 
of the rebel right. The left bank of the creek was reached by 
a gradual descent directly exposed to rebel batteries and infantry 
posted on the steep bluffs of the opposite bank. Headed by 
the Fifty-first New- York, our regiment passed down through a 
cornfield to the bridge. Here, for some reason, the leading 
regiment halted. An instance of coolness amid danger was 
seen at this juncture in Lieut. Hudson of Company D * (acting 
for the day as a staff-officer), who passed between our column 
and the rebel line to transmit orders to the front, entirely regard- 
less of the bullets that were striking thickly all around him. 

The column moved, crossed the bridge, scaled the bluff (some 
sixty feet high, and very steep), and came into line on the crest. 
No line of rebel infantry appeared to oppose an advance : but 
a battery within easy range opened on our men at first with 
over-reaching shot ; but their next discharge was in exact range, 
and the destruction was such as to compel a retirement over the 
crest. Later in the day, our line was ordered to an advance in 

* This officer was afterwards promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and held command of the 
regiment during the latter part of the war. 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 8 1 

a south-westerly direction to dislodge a rebel force posted three- 
fourths of a mile distant behind a stone-wall defence. 

A position was gained, partly protected by a lane, and fence of 
rails ; and a brisk fire was opened on the rebels, which was as 
briskly returned, and continued for two hours or more, until our 
ammunition was used up (sixty rounds per man) ; when the 
rebels, perceiving our slackened fire, came out from their defences 
preparatory to a charge. Our line was now ordered to retire. 
It was here, that, the regimental color-guard being shot down, 
Capt. King of Company K bravely sustained the colors, receiv- 
ing seven or eight bullet-wounds in consequence. In the latter 
part of the engagement. Company D was under command of 
Sergeant Gotleib, the commissioned officers being disabled.* 

During the two battles (14th and 1 7th September), the regiment 
lost in killed and wounded about one-third of its rank and file, 
and two-thirds of its officers. In the last engagement, its con- 
duct was characterized in the report as " magnificent." 

During the night, and also the next day, the brigade remained 
on the rebel side of the creek, expecting a renewal of hostilities, 
but receiving no re-enforcements ; Gen. Ferrero fretting like a 
caged lion under the suspense. But the rebels withdrew; and 
our hard-earned advantages were not followed up by the com- 
mander-in-chief (George B. McClellan), which elicited not a lit- 
tle indignation from such determined spirits as our soldier. 

After the rebels had withdrawn, Mr. Campbell took occasion 
to visit the battle-field. The carnage was awful : on one line 
there were not less than two hundred dead bodies, that lay in 
piles as they fell. 

Camping-ground was now occupied on the east side of the 
creek, where the army was reviewed by President Lincoln with 
the chief officers. 

* Capt. Dolan was absent on leave. 
H 



82 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

After several days, the army moved a few miles into Pleasant 
Valley. Here shelter-tents were distributed ; and a " masterly 
inactivity " prevailed under various pretexts offered by the 
general commanding.* 

But the movement finally came ; the Potomac was crossed ; 
and, over roads in execrable condition from rocks and mud, the 
great army proceeded southward. The weather was inclement; 
and not seldom were the men obliged to improvise a bed of 
rails, or even of stones, to keep their bodies out of water while 
they tried to sleep. It was a pitiable picture to see some of the 
boys at night, too tired and footsore to move, waiting for a point 
of desperation to be reached, when they must either " do or die " 
with the cold. Foraging here was nearly impracticable ; for the 
rebels were on either flank in heavy scouting-parties, and closed 
upon the rear every morning as soon as the march was resumed. 

A very unexpected and agreeable surprise occurred one morn- 
ing, after a snow-storm, in the appearance of Mr. William Heard 
from Wayland (uncle of Mrs. Campbell). He remained only a 
few hours. 

After fording the Rappahannock at Waterloo, and reaching 
the village of Annisville, our soldier, with two or three others, 
visited a fine-looking house, and asked to purchase something 
to eat. The lady, with haughty airs, declared her destitution, 
but finally offered some apples at an exorbitant price. They 
next visited the huts of her slaves, who furnished a good repast 
of "johnny-cake," and such other things as they had; for which 
they refused compensation. Observing the lady's piggery to be 
well stocked, a little fun and fresh pork was proposed by Mr. 



* " It is believed, that, could he have heard all that was said of his dilatory course, he would 
either have resigned, or pushed us into activity, before he was driven to it by his superiors at 
Washington." — Letter. 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 83 

Campbell for the evening's entertainment ; and the transfer to 
camp of several good-sized porkers was effected with disturbing 
only one of the rebel woman's " home-guards," who, on hearing a 
noise among the hogs, lustily called out, " Wat doin' down dar ? " 
Mr. Campbell quieted the fears of his comrades by saying, "That 
is not the voice of an enemy." * 

The following night, after being snugly quartered, and many 
of the boys asleep, they were roused up with orders to move 
" three miles " to Jefferson. A division immediately occupied 
their ground. By this move they escaped a severe shelling that 
was opened the next morning on the division named.! 

At White-sulphur Springs, the encampment on a hill disclosed 
a wide extent of nearly barren territory, made so by repeated 
croppings of tobacco. Passing thence, Company D marched 
in the rear next to the wagon-train ; upon which a brisk shelling 
was opened from a battery across the river, and at the same time 
a movement of rebel sharpshooters towards the bridge was ob- 
served. The company was ordered back to protect the bridge. 
This movement was in direct range of the shelling: but it was 
not of long duration ; for our batteries gained a good position ; 
the firing soon ceased ; the sharpshooters retired ; and " we 
marched on." 

* This incident, and the unexpected appearance of some " feathered bipeds " in camp a few 
days after, drew from our soldier's pen a short poem, of which the following is a sample : — 

" And rebel fowls are just as sweet 
As the most loyal turkey-hen ; 
And Dixie's pigs make as good meat 
As grunters fed in Northern pen. 

Then put the porker down to roast ; 
Be gay, whate'er with morning come : 
' Long live the Union ! ' be our toast, 
' A speedy peace, a welcome home ! ' " 

t While at Jefferson, Gen. McClellan was relieved of his command by Gen. Burnside, by 
orders from headquarters at Washington. 



84 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

While at Sulphur Springs, Adjutant Wales had made ac- 
quaintance with some ladies at a house near by, and was invited 
to dine. He took with him also Lieut.-Col. Carruth, and a 
provost-guard of two. But the rebel ladies displayed their signal ; 
the signal was answered ; and our officers and their guard took 
an involuntary march to Richmond as prisoners. 

Falmouth was reached on the 20th of November. Here a 
three-weeks' delay occurred, waiting for pontoons on which to 
cross the river ; while the rebel fortifications grew day by day, 
portending death in the delayed advance. And, while waiting, 
unnecessary suffering also was endured in camp from inadequate 
protection against the early approach of winter. 

Preparations were completed for an assault on the rebel lines 
on the nth of December; and that day was ushered in by the 
thundering of all our artillery, while the pontoons were being 
laid, on which our army crossed the following day, and massed 
in readiness for action. A few days previous to this, the Thirty- 
fifth had been ordered two miles to the left to support a heavy 
battery ; but, at the time fixed, they crossed with the other troops 
for the fearful work of Saturday, Dec. 1 3. 

At ten, A.M., the brigade left the protection of the streets in the 
city, and deployed into line of battle in the open ground. The 
order to charge up the hill was given. From the time of this 
exposure until they had gained the slight protection of a knoll, 
the angry shot and shell ploughed and plunged with well-directed 
aim from batteries that crowned the summits in front and to the 
right ; while a constant rattle of musketry from the intervening 
rifle-pits sent hissing bullets thickly through the air. Said a 
comrade to Mr. Campbell as the charge was ordered, " This is 
a hard place to put a man in." — " Yes," replied Mr. Campbell. 
" But let us go in like men. If we co7ne out of it, we shall know 
that we did not flinch from duty ; and, if we die, we shall die like 
men who love their country T 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 



85 



The rush was made. The ranks were thinned. Major Wil- 
lard fell, mortally wounded. The point of protection was 
reached : it was a point beyond which but very {^\n passed 
during the conflict. Here the brigade paused, and expended its 
ammunition on the rebels in the nearest rifle-pits until relieved 
after dark.* 

On the night of the 15th, the regiment again occupied the 
same position. Rain had fallen ; the ground was trodden into 
mud; and the air was chilling. Orders to remain quiet in such 
condition were almost as hard to obey as facing the enemy's 
bullets, and told on the health of our men ; more than half 
of whom were on the sick-list for weeks after in consequence. 
Mr. Campbell's physical system was essentially undermined ; and 
to this day the effects are painfully felt. Gen. Burnside had 
withdrawn his troops during the night ; and the Thirty-fifth was 
the last regiment but one to cross the river. 

Thus closed this scene of human slaughter, that cast a cloud 
over the Union prospects, which months could not dispel. Mr. 
Campbell says, " It was the only time that I ever felt really 
depressed in the hopes I had cherished for the speedy overthrow 
of the Rebellion." But, as the causes of the failure developed 
themselves, he soon regained his elasticity of spirits, and was 
equally ready for another encounter with the foe. 

But that was not soon to be. The remainder of the winter 
was spent at Falmouth, with nothing accomplished by the army 
to cheer the heart of a patriot soldier. 

In the midst of this state of things came the news of Presi- 
dent Lincoln's emancipation proclamation of Jan. i, 1863. 

Mr. Campbell entered the war with no definite designs to be 

* During this firing, Mr. Campbell had loaded his musl^et ; and, as he stood with it in front 
of him, a bullet struck the bayonet, bending it, and throwing the gun forcibly against him. The 
averted bullet was in the exact range of his head. 



86 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

outwrought with respect to slavery. But, as the schemes of the 
slave-power were developed more fully, he gradually saw more 
clearly that not only was the institution (as it was called) the 
chief cause of the outbreak, but that it constituted the sole 
object of the South, in building up their new confederacy, to 
make it the chief " corner-stone ; " and that, with such a disturb- 
ing element remaining, there could be but little hope of a per- 
manent peace. 

Such being his convictions, he hailed with joy the proclama- 
tion as a necessary and efficient measure in prosecuting the 
war. 

. Orders to proceed by cars to Aquia Creek were carried into 
effect on the 9th of February, 1863; and the Thirty-fifth then 
embarked on the steamer " Louisiana " for Hampton Roads, and 
landed at Newport News on the 14th. 

This proved a most grateful change. The pleasant beach, 
the abundant provisions, and the prospects of a new campaign 
in the Department of the Ohio, were exhilarating. Mr. Camp- 
bell took a trip to his home on a furlough of ten days, every 
moment of which was enjoyed to the fullest extent ; and his 
return was accomplished only two hours before the regiment 
was taken on board " The John Brooks " for Baltimore, en route 
for the West, — a trip, that, but for the over-crowded box-cars 
with plank seats, would have been exceedingly pleasant. Hatchets 
and jack-knives soon made openings in the sides of these cars, 
through which glimpses of a beautiful and sometimes picturesque 
country were caught, \vith the cities and villages of the long 
line traversed between Baltimore and Cincinnati ; while occa- 
sional halts to partake of the hospitalities of the citizens gave 
tokens of a hearty friendship in our broad country, that will long 
be remembered by its defenders. 

From Cincinnati, the Ninth Corps crossed the Ohio to the 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 87 

borders of Kentucky, over whose fertile soil it was its destiny to 
tramp during the next three months to defend the loyal citizens 
from the hordes of rebel raiders that were stealthily roaming for 
plunder. In discharging this duty, sixteen distinct marches 
were made by the regiment, some of them unequalled for rapid- 
ity, and all affording opportunity for an acquaintance with the 
State and its people. Among the places visited were Covington, 
Paris, Mt. Sterling, Winchester, Lexington, Nicholasville, Lan- 
caster, Lowell, Crab Orchard, and Stanford. 

On the march from Mt. Sterling, our soldier called for re- 
freshments at the house of a lawyer of rebel sentiments, who 
declined affording such aid to the Union defenders. Some warm 
but honest words passed between them. Meanwhile the lady of 
the mansion had set a table well loaded with substantial food, 
of which our soldier was invited to partake freely with genuine 
Kentucky politeness. 

On another tramp, a " lone " Union woman's house was passed, 
whose kind offers of entertainment were most acceptable. She 
had never denied a Union soldier, and had many times secreted 
them when pursued by the rebels. 

At Winchester, Mr. Campbell was detailed for service in the 
regimental hospital. His sympathetic nature, and the tender 
care he had often bestowed on his suffering comrades, singled 
him out as a well-qualified nurse, whose duties, faithfully done, 
would brine to him anxious hours of unrest while others would 
be reposing, but would bring also the satisfaction of believing, 
that in saving human beings from suffering, and perhaps lives 
valuable to the country from a needless sacrifice through neglect, 
he would be rendering as acceptable a service as could be at- 
tained in the ranks. He occupied this position until the close 
of the war. 

While at Stanford, orders were received to proceed at once to 



88 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

Cincinnati. It was accomplished on the 5th of June. It now 
appeared that the destination of the corps was Vicksburg, Miss., 
to aid in the reduction of that important place. 

Passing by railroad-conveyance through the States of Ohio, 
Indiana, and Illinois, over the rich but tiresome prairie levels, 
the city of Cairo was reached on the 7th. Waiting here a day 
was improved by inspecting all that the place afforded of interest, 
— among other things, a huge Columbiad, thirteen feet long, 
with eleven-inch bore, and weighing, without its carriage, 15,876 
pounds. But by far the most thrilling spectacle witnessed by our 
soldier was that of over four hundred Union refugees (women 
and children), from infancy of a few days to the bowed form of 
ninety years, miserably clad and destitute. They had been 
compelled to flee from their homes by the rebels, who had 
either impressed the husbands, fathers, and brothers into their 
service, or driven them to hiding-places in the mountains, or, as 
in some instances, subjected them to imprisonment and death. 
It was a most touching scene. " Never," says Mr. Campbell, 
*' did I feel such a determination to do all in my power to subdue 
the Rebellion as I then experienced ; and never did I so perceive 
the value of money to relieve human necessities as when the 
little I had was freely bestowed on these forlorn sufferers." 

On board " The Imperial," the regiment steamed down the 
famed Mississippi. Mr. Campbell, who had a taste for the pic- 
turesque, found in many of the bluffs, that rose here and there 
in contrast with the plain intervals, much to interest. 

But, even to his. skilful eye, the interminable windings of the 
current, through so many hundreds of miles of similar views, 
became at last so montonous, that he was thankful to reach the 
landing-place, a few miles above Vicksburg, on the 14th of June, 
in the midst of the sights and sounds of the war-besieged city. 

A fruitless march across Young's Point ; an embarkation 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 89 

on " The Forest Queen," whose many shot-holes through her 
sides showed the perilous places she had passed ; and a return, 
under countermanded orders, to the first landing, — made the 
occupation of June 16. 

On the following day, the troops re-embarked, and steamed 
up the Yazoo to Hayne's Bluff, where a landing was effected; 
and a march began, which terminated at Milldale, in the midst 
of a flat, swampy, desolate tract of country, where sickness began 
its work upon our men, who were unaccustomed to the miasms 
drawn from the lands by the powerful June sun. 

The regiment soon joined in a movement with the entire 
corps into the interior; leaving our soldier, with the steward, in 
care of eight of their comrades seriously sick of malarial fever. 
Night and day he attended with unwearied watchfulness the wants 
of these men. Two of them died, and were buried with sadness 
by Mr. Campbell, assisted by the steward. During twelve days, 
all the sleep he obtained was while standing leaning against the 
tent-pole. 

The return of the regiment, on the 23d of July, brought to 
the hospital a large number of sick and wounded, ten of whom 
were assigned to Mr. Campbell's care, day and night, for more 
than a week. " It is one of the evils of war," says Mr, Campbell, 
" that, by the constant presence of sufl'ering, the humane feelings 
of the heart are blunted, and the sufferers become neglected." 
Such results he frequently saw in the surgeons, who at first were 
patterns of care and sympathy, but who finally came to look with 
indifference upon cases of sickness and pain. Such was the 
case at this point of his experience. He appealed in vain for 
aid for a man whose fracturedl arm required attention by 
surgery, and, for the want of which, gangrene set in with fatal 
result, and under circumstances of aggravated pain from another 
cause, which surgical care might have mitigated. 



90 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

The second day of August saw all the sick and wounded on 
board transports for the North. The excessive care and watch- 
ing of Mr. Campbell had begun to produce their legitimate 
effects on his health. He was excused from attendance on these 
transports, and proceeded with his regiment up the river to 
Cairo, and thence to Cincinnati. 

The men were all nearly " used up " by the Mississippi cam- 
paign ; and about one-half were allowed to remain for rest at 
Covington, while the remainder proceeded once more to duty 
in Kentucky; marching as guard of a wagon-train to Paris, 
thence through Lexington, Nicholasville, Lancaster, Crab 
Orchard, to Mount Vernon. 

Rockcastle River was forded Oct. 3 ; and the regiment camped 
near London, where several days were spent waiting for bat- 
teries. 

The march was resumed, Oct. 10, through Barboursville, across 
Cumberland Ford; and on the 14th the Gap was passed. The 
hills here are fourteen hundred feet high, and rugged in the 
extreme. Here is the corner boundary of the three great 
States, — Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Mr. Campbell 
climbed to the summit to take a view at once extensive, pictu- 
resque, and of a wild grandeur; risking his neck in a descent on 
the southerly side, seldom attempted by man. The adventure 
satisfied him ; and it is entered on his note-book, " The wild 
and the sublime must be sought with toil and difficulty." 

Knoxville was reached on the 19th; and cars were taken for 
Loudon Bridge to protect the crossing of our troops. " We 
were without tents ; and for several days, during a cold rain- 
storm that completely drenchq^ us, we were in a most uncom- 
fortable condition : add to this, we were reduced to such short 
rations, that a field of sorghum was almost our only source of 
sustenance, the succulent stalks of which were eagerly eaten 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 9 1 

by the men. Our labor was also excessive in removing the 
pontoon-bridge, the planks of which were carried by hand 
half a mile to reach the cars." — Letter, 

It became evident now that a rebel force was concentrating, 
under Longstreet, that could not be opposed successfully at this 
point ; and our troops began to fall back on Knoxville. It was 
a movement of great hardship. Skirmishes were not to be 
avoided. At Campbell's Station, a line was formed to oppose 
the rebel advance. There was considerable infantry-firing ; and 
our batteries did good service in keeping the rebel line back 
until the retreat could be safely made to Knoxville, which was 
accomplished on the 17th. 

Active operations now began for the defence of the city. The 
Thirty-fifth not only built many rifle-pits, but constructed a dam, 
by which the waters of a " run " were turned to a channel of 
defence for nearly a half-mile on the borders of the city. 

The rebel forces closed in upon the city ; and it was in a state 
of actual siege from Nov. 17 to Dec. 5, with daily skirmishes, 
sharpshooting, sorties, and shelling ; which, with building defen- 
sive works, made a busy time. Rations were very scanty ; there 
was no coffee nor sugar to be had ; and, had it not been for a 
few boat-loads that were smuggled down the river at night, there 
would have been great suffering. 

" The excitement, as the rebels charged our lines on the 29th 
of November, was intense. Could they have secured Fort 
Saunders, we should have been prisoners of war ; but failing 
in their first assault, and finding the garrison to consist of 
veterans of the Ninth Corps, instead of raw troops as had been 
represented to them, the men could neither be persuaded nor 
driven to renew the attack. Thus we were saved." 

From the 5th of December to the 20th, Gen. Ferrero's men 
were in motion, without tents, in the vicinity of Strawberry 



92 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

Plains, — fifteen or twenty miles north-west from Knoxville. 
The weather was intensely cold. The men were barefoot, many 
of them ; and it was pitiful to see their cringing forms as they 
limped across the frozen fields to cut wood to keep them from 
freezing. Cold rain-storms occurred on five of the days and 
nights. On one of these nights, the best shelter that our soldier 
could find was the leeward side of a large tree, against which 
he leaned, and slept in a standing posture, while the rain fell 
in torrents, and the wind blew a gale. Rations for several 
days were only half a pint of cob-meal per man. Mr. 
Campbell, with others, resorted to foraging. With a team he 
obtained a load of corn and other articles, that came in the right 
time. He found a sutler who had half a dozen pairs of shoes : 
these he bought with his own money, and distributed them in 
camp. He also proved his sympathy for his suffering comrades 
by lending them all the money he had to spare to supply their 
necessities. Horses and mules were starving every day. The 
men were compelled to drag the field-ordnance for want of 
teams; and during this period, up to Feb. i, alarms were fre- 
quent of attacks from rebel detachments, resulting in several 
severe skirmishes. 

The state of society in Tennessee at this period was most 
deplorable. Unionists and rebels in the same neighborhood 
became deadly foes ; and the sharpest atrocities were perpetrated 
on both sides. As a sample, the following incident may be 
relied on as truly stated. An elderly lady of Union sentiments 
had a son, whom she had secreted for some time in expectation 
of a chance to send him to a place of safety. This came to 
rebel ears ; and a party of cavalry, dressed in " blue," paid the 
lady a visit, declaring that they came in her interest, having 
learned that she wished to send her son to Kentucky. " They 
were going there, and would gladly take him in charge." She 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 93 

trustingly acceded, providing him with ample rations and fix- 
tures. He was taken a short distance, tied to a tree, and shot 
dead in the sight of his agonized mother. 

At the close of February, orders to return to Cincinnati, and 
thence to Baltimore, were most cheerfully complied with. 

On leaving the city, it was surprising to observe the number 
of carcasses of mules and horses that had perished from cold 
and starvation. Fields were covered with them, to the extent, 
in some cases, of two hundred to the acre. 

The road taken was through Jacksborough ; " the very worst," 
says Mr. Campbell, " that I ever saw ; so rocky and zigzag, that 
it seemed impossible for teams to traverse it." 

Three weeks at Annapolis, Md., served to recuperate and pre- 
pare our veterans for the duties of another campaign. 

One of the most agreeable surprises during the war, to Mr. 
Campbell, was the arrival in camp, at Annapolis, of his wife : her 
visit of three days, with another friend of the soldiers from Way- 
land, formed an oasis in his army-life not to be overlooked. 

On the 23d of April, the Ninth Corps moved for Washington, 
which was reached in two days; and then passed on into Virginia 
through Fairfax, Centreville, Manassas, and Warrenton Junction, 
to Bealton Station, where a few days were spent in camp. The 
great movement of Gen. Meade's army, under the personal su- 
pervision of Lieut.-Gen. U. S. Grant, was now at hand, that was 
to culminate in the closing of the war. 

Marching-orders were received on the first day of May ; and 
the regiment took its place in the grand movement three days 
later by crossing the Rappahannock, and fording the Rapidan 
on the 5th. Here the regiment was detached, and ordered to 
guard the division-train ; and the hospital corps (Mr. Camp- 
bell included) was ordered to the front for service. 

The fighting had already disabled more men than could be 



94 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

taken good care of. Mr. Campbell says, " There were at least two 
acres covered with them in this vicinity." The most that could 
be done for them was to supply water to quench their thirst, and 
keep their wounds covered from the air. Many must have 
perished for want of timely attention. Some were found in the 
woods a week after, still alive, with festering wounds, but too 
late to save life. 

The hospital-tents were well up to the fighting-lines ; and 
bullets came uncomfortably near the wounded men. 

Under orders received at midnight on the 7th of May, all the 
wounded were removed to a safer place ; which, by almost 
superhuman exertions, was accomplished before sunrise. But 
scarcely had the new quarters been occupied, when, by another 
order, the disabled men were started for hospitals in Wash- 
ington. 

The daily conflicts brought their daily products of wounded 
men for hospital-treatment. Surgeons were weary in the use 
of the saw and scalpel ; and nurses lost their vital energies in 
the constant strain of the required watching and attention. 

The extreme heat, though favorable to such as had no night- 
shelter, nevertheless added to the fetor in the air by promoting 
the stenchful putrefaction of oozing sores and scantily-buried 
bodies. Such, from day to day, was the experience of the battles 
of the Wilderness, and thence onward to the rebel capital. Let 
the details of such sufferings as then and there were seen and 
felt be revived in imagination (they cannot be properly told) 
only to show the cost of the sacrifice by which our national 
integrity was secured. 

On the 17th of May, the Thirty-fifth was ordered to join the 
brigade at the front ; and Mr. Campbell, with the usual corps of 
hospital officials, resumed his old regimental position. 

It was hard for him to see two of his intimate friends, Ser- 



CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 



95 



geants Holmes and Wright, brought in on the i8th, fatally 
wounded ; the former nearly cut in two by a shell. 

The regiment was sharply engaged on the 21st of May. On 
leaving their works with the division for a night's march, they 
were unexpectedly charged upon by a force of rebels that nearly 
surrounded them. It was a perilous time ; but, nothing daunted 
by the prospect of being taken thus under rebel care, they 
boldly faced the foe, successfully repulsed him, and captured 
about seven hundred prisoners. 

The next severe fight was at "North Anna River, May 24 ; in 
which the regiment took a prominent part, with some loss. 

Two days after, the Thirty-fifth was again detached, and con- 
stituted a pioneer corps, and equipped with the usual intrench- 
ing tools in addition to their arms as privates. 

Not less were their exposures now, and their toil was greatly 
augmented ; but none were found to murmur. 

The quiet duties of Mr. Campbell were faithfully done by 
night and day as the grand movement progressed. As a singu- 
lar freak in the course of a bullet, he mentions the case of a 
soldier hit in the lower part of the chest in front ; and the ball 
passed beneath the skin, around his right side, to a position just 
above his left hip, and was then extracted by the surgeon, — the 
purple stripe of extravasated blood marking its course. 

The James River was crossed on a pontoon-bridge of a hun- 
dred boats, covering a distance of three thousand feet, on the 
15th of June, at night; and our regiment pressed on for Peters- 
burg. Here work awaited the boys all night, on their arrival, 
in reversing an earthwork taken from the rebels the day pre- 
vious ; and not only so, but almost every succeeding night was 
occupied in a similar way. Mr. Campbell was frequently at the 
front, helping on the work, when not required at his allotted 
place. 



96 CHARLES HENRY CAMPBELL. 

On the 23d, all regimental hospitals were merged in those of 
the divisions ; but Mr. Campbell had a preference for duty among 
his comrades, and was permitted to remain with his regiment 
for further field-service. 

Here his time was devoted to the care of the slightly sick and 
wounded, whose cases would not require a regular surgeon. He 
had by experience acquired a skill that was well known among 
his comrades, which prompted them many times to submit them- 
selves to his care rather than go to the division surgeons for treat- 
ment. And in this way he continued to minister to the sol- 
diers' wants through all their trying exposures at the Mine- 
Explosion, the Weldon- Railroad, the Poplar- Spring- Church, 
the Hatcher's-Run, and Fort-Sedgwick engagements, as well 
as all the unnamed times when work at the front as engineers 
laid them open to the perils of shells and other missiles of de- 
struction and death. 

His duties cannot be blazoned forth with the same exciting 
effect as those of the fighting soldier ; but they were no less 
necessary in the production of the grand final results of the war. 

Had he sought promotion, he could have easily obtained it ; 
for none knew him but to feel a respect for his character and 
talents. But the choice he made of the humble position of a 
private reflects more credit on the man than to have recorded 
him as an aspirant for army preferment. 

He was the son of Joseph and Mary Campbell ; born in 
Mercer, Me., Oct. 19, 1823. 

He was united by marriage with Sarah Heard of Wayland, 
Oct. 27, 1847. 

In stature he was five feet eight inches ; of light complexion, 
brown hair, and blue eyes. His discharge at Alexandria, Va., 
was dated June 9, 1865. 

He resides in Wayland at date. 



Elbridge Ambrose Carter. 




'OVE of country may be considered as closely allied 
to the natural instincts of man. Hence the spon- 
taneous rush to arms when the war-cloud of 1861 
gathered with such threatening aspect. Before the 
close of a year, hundreds of thousands had volun- 
tarily left their homes at the North to join the 
Union armies for the overthrow of the Great Rebel- 
lion. Great battles had been fought, with heavy 
losses and frequent repulses ; and still the war-spirit was brood- 
ing over the whole land, calling for fresh sacrifices on the altar 
of human freedom. 

President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand men to 
serve for three years, issued July 2, 1862, was followed, Aug. 4, 
by another for the same number for nine months' service. 

To these calls the loyal spirit ' of our young men freely and 
promptly responded. Among them was Mr. Carter, who enlisted 
as a private in the Fiftieth Regiment of Infantry (Company K), 
Aug. 18, 1862. He was the son of Elbridge J. and Lucy J. 
(Dudley) Carter; born in Wayland on the 5th of April, 1842. His 
stature was five feet eight inches, with light complexion and hair, 
and blue eyes. He was a shoemaker by occupation. 

He was united by marriage with Mary Dorman of George- 
town, Sept. 25, 1862. 



97 



98 E LB RIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. 

The regiment was recruiting at Camp Stanton, in Boxford ; 
which place it left for the South, Nov. 19, by way of New 
York. It was quartered in that city and on Long Island, await- 
ing transports, until Dec. 1 1 ; when Company K, with two others, 
embarked on the steamer " Jersey Blue." This boat was unsea- 
worthy at the start ; and after encountering a severe storm, dur- 
ing which she was expected to go down, she went ashore at 
Hilton Head, S.C. After a detention here of three weeks, the 
bark " Guerilla " received the troops, and conveyed them to 
New Orleans : they were landed at Carrol ton on the twenty-first 
day of January, 1863. 

Early in February, these three companies took a steamer, and 
passed up to Baton Rouge. Here, in good tents with floors, and 
mild weather, the winter was passed very pleasantly. The re- 
mainder of the regiment soon arrived by other boats, and was 
attached to the third brigade, first division, of the Nineteenth 
Army Corps. The duties of camp and picket were duly attend- 
ed to ; and some opportunities were presented to gain acquaint- 
ance with citizens, the greater part of whom wei'e rebels, and 
were sometimes found to be extremely uncourteous to the 
Yankee soldiers. 

Preparations were made towards the close of winter to invest 
Port Hudson, — an important post twenty miles above Baton 
Rouge. On the 14th of March, the camp was vacated ; and a 
march brought the troops to the vicinity of the former place. 
On the first night after their arrival. Admiral Farragut was en- 
abled to pass the rebel forts with two of his gunboats ; while a 
third, the ill-fated " Mississippi," was blown up in sight of our 
regiment. This being accomplished, the Fiftieth returned, amidst 
a heavy rain, to its camp at Baton Rouge. 

May 12, it again marched towards Port Hudson, now under 
investment by Union troops in command of Major-Gen. Banks. 



E LB RIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. 99 

A halt was made several miles south of the place, under orders, 
to prevent a flank movement of the enemy. 

Early on the morning of the 26th of May, the regiment was 
ordered to the front, within range of the enemy's batteries. It 
was the first time our soldier had been under fire ; and it proved 
a severe ordeal even to veteran skill and courage. 

Port Hudson was a strongly-fortified place on a high bluff of 
the Mississippi. On the land-side, Nature had also made its 
approaches very difficult by the corrugated surface ; there being 
a succession of ravines and corresponding ridges for miles 
around. An advance over these had been made still more diffi- 
cult by the abatis-work which the diligent axes of the rebels had 
constructed on every side ; and, most of all, those frowning 
batteries were ready to pour destruction in all directions. 

In the face of such destruction, and over such impediments, 
on one of the hottest days of the season, our troops were ordered 
to advance. Thoughts of home and friends had a momentary 
place in our soldier's mind ; but the excitement of the mad rush 
soon drove them away, together with every sense of fear ; and 
hopes of a victory nerved every fibre to its utmost exertion. 
Nearly one-third of a mile had been forced, and the rebel lines 
were yet thirty rods off, when our advance halted in a deep 
ravine sheltered from the rebel missiles. It was deemed by 
officers in command that any further attempt would not only 
be useless, but would cost a heavy loss of life. Here, under 
a scorching sun, and without drink or rations, the men re- 
mained until the darkness of night permitted their retiring with 
safety. 

After this. Company K was detailed to support Mack's New- 
York Battery for about a week. 

On the 13th of June, the Fiftieth was ordered to the right of 
our lines ; and, the next day, another general charge was made. 



lOO ELBRIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. 

The regiment fell into the line of supports, and so escaped the 
severest part of the assault. In this engagement, Company K 
went in with only thirty men, five of whom were killed or wound- 
ed. This assault proved unavailing also. 

The term of our men expired on the ist of June; as did also 
that of one other Massachusetts regiment, which stacked arms, 
and refused further duty. Gen. Banks, and Gen. Dudley, com- 
mander of the division, united their efforts to persuade the Fifti- 
eth to remain for fourteen days longer, promising that Port 
Hudson would ere then capitulate ; and the boys all concluded 
to re-enlist for that time. 

Supporting batteries was the chief duty. The bombardment 
was diligently kept up until the 9th of July; when the garrison 
surrendered, with all its armament. 

There was one church in the place, and about twenty other 
buildings ; all of which were thoroughly riddled by our shot. 

Two weeks later, and Mr. Carter was taken severely sick. He 
remained in hospital-care until the 29th of July, when he was 
removed to the steamer " Omaha," with the regiment, to proceed 
up the river on its way home. It was a rare treat to him, though 
enfeebled by sickness, to be placed on the hurricane-deck of the 
steamer, and thence look out upon the rich and luxuriant fields 
that border the great river. 

Stops were made at Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, and Galena. 
Cairo was reached Aug. 5. 

The overland route by rail-cars soon made our soldiers feel at 
home, the contrast in the visage of the people being too great 
to escape observation ; and the generous hospitality that awaited 
them at Belle Fontaine, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and other places, 
spoke the spirit of gratitude instead of hatred. Even the means 
of conveyance declared the progress of the same spirit, — from 
the seatless and filthy cattle-cars taken at Cairo, to the splendid 
equipment that awaited them at Cincinnati. 



E LB RIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. lOI 

The sick were particularly looked after by hospitable ladies, 
and treated to delicacies not seen since their departure from 
Massachusetts. 

The route along the shores of Lake Erie, and through the 
Mohawk Valley, was particularly attractive to Mr. Carter, from 
the delightful scenery that was presented at every turn. 

Boston was reached on the nth of August; thus consum- 
mating the vast circuit of thousands of miles by land and water 
since the same point was left. 

The men were paid off and discharged Aug. 24, 1863. 



RE-ENLISTMENT. 

Elbridge A. Carter, having completed his term of nine 
months' military service, again saw the necessity of rendering 
further aid to his country as a soldier. Lieut.-Gen. Grant was 
about to enter a decisive campaign ; and it was felt by all parties 
that his skill and persistence could be trusted, and that the 
close of the war could not long be delayed. 

Mr. Carters re-enlistment bears date of Feb. 26, 1864. He 
entered the Fifty-ninth Infantry Regiment, in Company G, as a 
sergeant. It was then recruiting at Readville ; which place it 
left April 26, reaching Washington in two days by railroad, and 
the next day proceeding to Alexandria, Va. It went into camp 
for a few days about half a mile from the city. 

On the 2d of May it broke camp, and proceeded by rail-cars 
to Rappahannock Station. The next morning, a scene of mili- 
tary display opened such as this country never saw before. 
From the hill on which the regiment was stationed, the war- 
pageant was truly imposing. In every direction, and as far as 
the eye could reach, there was a moving mass of infantry col- 



I02 ELBRIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. 

umns, mingled with batteries and cavalry, and trains of supply- 
wagons; and soon the Fifty-ninth mingled with the mass 
whose line was crossing the Rapidan at Germania Ford. 

On the morning of the 6th of May, it was ordered to the front 
line of battle. The sight of the dead bodies of those who had 
fallen the day before was sickening. 

The trees stood thick in the woods where our line was formed, 
and the enemy could but seldom be seen : they seemed to be about 
fifteen rods distant. The musket-firing was incessant, though 
with but little effect. Our line was held till late in the afternoon, 
when a sudden advance of the enemy compelled a retreat with 
considerable confusion. It was intensely hot ; and several were 
sun-struck during the afternoon. Breastworks were then thrown 
up for the night. 

On the night of the iith, the regiment marched to the right 
under the inspiring music of bands playing national airs. " Had 
it not been for the grim realities of war so near us," says Mr. 
Carter, " that quiet march in the still hours of night would have 
been entrancing." 

The next day, our column came unawares upon a large body 
of the enemy; and, in a brisk firing of three minutes, Company 
G lost fourteen men. Our men hastily retreated a short dis- 
tance, and threw up breastworks, which were occupied, under 
shelling more or less every day, until the i8th of May; when a 
position was taken on the extreme left, and maintained for five 
days. 

A march of seven or eight miles on the 23d brought the 
regiment to the North Anna, which was forded at a depth reach- 
ing to the breast. 

The brigade, under Gen. Ledlie, was at once moved forward, 
driving the scattered lines of rebels for two miles. But Gen. 
Ledlie was imprudent in this advance ; for " we suddenly found 



E LB RIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. IO3 

ourselves confronting a heavy force of the enemy, that com- 
pelled an immediate halt. We lay there for half an hour 
while a drenching shower was passing over us. Meanwhile a 
flanking detachment of the rebels had nearly reached our rear, 
when a portion of our line broke, and hastily fled ; the ' John- 
nies ' * following most uncomfortably near." 

Mr. Carter started for the river about a mile lower than the 
point they had previously crossed ; and no time was lost in wad- 
ing the stream. About forty of the Union soldiers were near 
the same point of crossing, only seven or eight of whom reached 
the north bank in safety ; the rebels having reached the river, 
and commenced firing, before the boys were half across. Some 
were killed outright ; several were disabled and drowned ; and 
a few surrendered as prisoners. 

A general halt was made here for a few days ; when the march- 
ing recommenced with daily skirmishing, until Cold Harbor was 
reached on the third day of June. 

Gen. McClellan's old lines of breastworks had been passed ; 
and our men had halted late in the afternoon for supper. Here 
Mr. Carter was the first to discover a body of rebel soldiers 
just entering those breastworks; and he immediately informed 
his colonel, who thought at first it must be a mistake : but a vol- 
ley from their ranks soon afforded convincing proof of the ene- 
my's presence. 

A most effective charge was made at once ; the rebels flying 
in every direction. 

The regiment remained near the Pamunkey River until the 
10th of June, when it marched for the James; crossing on a 
pontoon-bridge by moonlight on the 15th. 

The movement was continued towards Petersburg, and a 
position taken for a general assault on the 17th. 

* A term applied by our men to rebel soldiers. 



I04 E LB RIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. 

Thus closed one of the most important movements on record. 
None can adequately describe the almost incessant raging of 
battle-sounds for five weeks, during which the highest military- 
skill and valor on both sides were called out. It is a sufficient 
honor to any soldier to have it said that he passed through this 
fiery ordeal prompt to his duty, and fearless of results. 

On the 17th, the line of which the Fifty-ninth formed a part, 
after the front had made two unsuccessful attempts, charged 
vigorously, and took a rebel line of breastworks. It was made 
at six o'clock in the afternoon, and constituted one of the most 
brilliant achievements. Company G lost twelve men. In the 
works thus taken from the rebels, the regiment remained under 
constant shelling, laboring during the hours of night to strength- 
en and improve their defensive character. 

On the 29th of July, at midnight, our whole division, with 
others, was massed in covered ways and ravines directly in front 
of a prominent rebel fort, which most of the boys guessed 
they would have to storm the next day, but whose fate really lay 
in far different hands. 

" At a quarter before five o'clock," relates Mr. Carter, " I over- 
heard an officer say, ' It is time for the explosion;' which was the 
first intimation received of a mine to be sprung under the fort. 
In a few moments, the fort was a mass of ruins sent through 
the air by the terrific rumbling explosion of some tons of gun- 
powder, that our troops, guided by engineers, had placed beneath 
it. Immediately a bombardment was opened from all our bat- 
teries within range ; and our division advanced to the blown-up 
fort. It presented a broad and deep chasm : into this a crowd 
entered for shelter. The rebels, at first frightened, had now 
opened their batteries in earnest. The crater soon began to be 
a charnel-house ; yet it was safer there than either to advance 
or retreat. There was the utmost confusion. Blacks and whites 



ELBRIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. 105 

officers and privates, crowded each other under the scorching 
sun till near four o'clock, p.m." 

At that time, a charge from the rebel lines sent our disor- 
ganized troops back to their lines, amid perils as great as when 
they advanced. 

Mr. Carter, with seven comrades, started together on the re- 
treat. It was perhaps a distance of forty rods, over a field 
thickly covered with the dead and helpless wounded. 

Each one was impelled by a regard for safety to exert his ut- 
most speed. Of these seven men, only two escaped death. The 
regiment lost about one-fifth of its number during this day of 
misfortunes. 

About the middle of August, it was ordered to the left, and 
on the 1 8th was in line of battle near the Weldon Railroad. 
This line was repeatedly charged by the rebels, who were re- 
pulsed with great loss ; but a gap was unfortunately found, by 
which the rebels gained our rear. Company G was favored 
by being in a position of less exposure than other parts of the 
line, that suffered severely in killed, wounded, and prisoners. 

On the 2ist, the troops were ordered to the rear to discharge 
and clean their muskets. They were ordered to discharge by 
regiments and brigades. The noise of this firing convinced the 
rebel general. Hill, that there was a fight going on at that 
point : so, in hope of securing a double success, he ordered his 
corps to charge in front. He bravely advanced his men three 
times, and was each time repulsed with great loss. The ground 
was covered with his dead. 

Nothing but the usual bombardment occurred afterward until 
the 30th of September, when a slight repulse was experienced 
near Peeble's Farm by an attack of the rebels ; but the ground 
was soon regained, and more defensive works built at that 
point. 



I06 ELB RIDGE AMBROSE CARTER. 

Mr. Carter's feet had become much swollen and inflamed for a 
month or more previous to the 27th of October, and he had 
been advised repeatedly to go to the hospital for some proper 
treatment ; but he had no desire to leave the ranks until there 
was greater necessity than was apparent. 

The increased pain was sufficient, at the date mentioned, to 
induce him to retire, as there were also, at the time, febrile syrhp- 
toms developed in his system generally. He was conveyed to 
City Point, and there remained under treatment until the sur- 
render of Gen. Lee's army, and the return of his regiment on 
its way home. He was conveyed to Washington, and encamped 
with his comrades at Tennallytown, in Maryland. 

His final discharge bears date of July 30, 1865. 

He resides in Wayland ; having been married a second time, 
to Julia A. Adams of Waltham, Dec. 14, 1867. 

Mr. Carter speaks in unequivocal terms of approbation of the 
line and staff" officers of both regiments in which he served, 
— brave and fearless themselves, yet careful of the lives and 
comfort of their men so far as duty would permit. 

Of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, he saw such 
ample proofs of their beneficent operations as to warrant a 
hearty commendation. 

So far as he could judge of the actual benefits resulting from 
an observance of the forms of religion in the army, through the 
chaplains, he cannot give a large amount of credit. 

He is satisfied that the war, though a terrible thing in some, 
of its aspects, was, on the whole, not only a necessary evil, but 
an equally necessary good, settling definitely by its results 
the certainty that a free people can sustain a free government, 
even in the midst of all the confusion and peril incident to a 
civil war; and he feels a deep sense of satisfaction in having 
been a Union soldier in the war of the Great Rebellion. 



Edward Carter. 




DWARD CARTER was a native of Lincoln, 
Mass., the only son of Amos and Sophia (Child) 
Carter; born Jan. 21, 1839. His occupation was 
farming. He was five feet five inches and a 
quarter tall, of dark complexion and hair, with 
blue eyes. 

Although naturally of quiet habits and a re- 
tiring disposition, yet of strong purpose when 
once fixed, he was found to be one of reliable service wherever 
duty pointed the way. While many considerations urged his 
stay at home, he saw in his country's peril the higher call for 
his service in her defence : and on the loth of August, 1862, 
he enrolled his name among the volunteers from Wayland for 
three years, or during the war ; being attached to Company D of 
the Thirty-fifth Infantry Regiment. 

Camp-life, and the marches and trip to Washington, and thence 
to the hostile soil of Virginia, are now looked back upon as of 
small account compared with the rougher experiences that suc- 
ceeded. Yet, with every fibre of life intensified by the new po- 
sitions into which he was thrown day by day, the memories of 
these early days of the war are abundantly supplied with inci- 
dents that will never fade. 

The Army of the Potomac was then concentrating for the 



107 



I08 EDWARD CARTER. 

conflict at the second " Bull Run ; " and, as the wai worn veterans 
of the Peninsular campaign passed our newly-arrived soldiers in 
their unstained uniforms, the contrast drew from Mr. Carter the 
involuntary expression, " They are the hardest-looking set of 
men I ever saw." 

The movement to meet the foe in North Maryland was made 
quite easy by the order " to leave all unnecessary equipage in 
camp." Thus relieved, and moving in the cool of the day, and dur- 
ing the cooler hours of night, through a cultivated region where 
they could easily obtain such additions to their army-rations as 
they desired, this march was not destitute of enjoyment. 

The first announcement that the battle had begun, by the 
heavy firing which greeted their ears on the 1 3th of September, 
and doing picket-duty that night in sight of the rebel camp-fires, 
sent a momentary chill across our soldier's enthusiasm. He 
writes, " But I think the most sickening sensation I ever experi- 
enced was in seeing the wounded men borne to the rear, and in 
passing dead bodies as we moved to the front." 

All feelings of fear, however, were effectually dispersed after 
actually entering the conflict. The first charge to dislodge a 
rebel force from a sheltered position was successfully accom- 
plished, almost without loss ; but, on re-forming the line, several 
volleys were received that thinned our ranks. Mr. Carter here 
made acquaintance with a rebel bullet, that grazed his cheek, and 
drew his first blood. After a half-hour's exposure here, the regi- 
ment retired to a piece of woods, where there was much confu- 
sion. Most of the Wayland boys kept together under Lieut. 
Hudson. Their mutual congratulations at having escaped 
through the perils of this their first battle-trial mingled with 
devout gratitude to Heaven, and gave them fresh courage. 

The night following, they lay on their arms, with much dis- 
comfort from the severely chilling and damp air, destitute as 



EDWARD CARTER. IO9 

they were of overcoats and blankets. Nor were their discom- 
forts much mitigated in closely following the enemy the next 
three days, — sometimes under considerable shelling, and doing 
picket-duty a portion of every night. 

And now comes another fierce conflict. Gen. Lee had chosen 
his ground for a test of arms with the Northern army ; and that 
army was by no means loath to accept the challenge, even under 
disadvantages of ground. The roaring batteries began the work 
at daylight on the morning of the 1 7th of September ; and the 
battle-cloud was not removed, nor did the shock and crash and 
thunder cease along the bluffs and ravines of the Antietam, till 
Night drew her gentle veil over the sad scene of human slaugh- 
ter made necessary by the rebellious spirit. 

The first brigade of our division had made two unsuccessful 
charges to drive the enemy from a bridge on the left, which Gen. 
Burnside had been ordered to take and hold " at all hazards." 
Gen. Ferrero's brigade, of which our regiment formed a part, was 
now ordered to the charge. It proved a success ; and the high 
hill beyond the bridge was reached. But farther advance was 
prevented by a vigorous discharge of shot, shell, and grape from 
the enemy's batteries. An exploding shell literally tore to atoms 
the body of a comrade (Reed), standing so near Mr. Carter as to 
sprinkle him with his blood. At about five o'clock, a charge 
was made to drive a body of rebels gathered in a cornfield, and 
protected by a wall on the left. A position was secured, par- 
tially protected by an old fence, which was maintained until our 
ammunition was exhausted ; when a retreat was ordered. Dur- 
ing this part of the fight, the firing on both sides was rapid and 
continuous for more than an hour. Mr. Carter says, " I fired, 
at first, only when I could see an enemy to aim at ; and after- 
wards, also, towards whatever point the smoke of rebel guns, or 
the sight of a rebel flag, indicated the presence of the foe." A 



no ED IV A RD CA R TER. 

rebel officer, appearing at one time on horseback, received a dis- 
charge from our soldier's rifle (as well as from others), and was 
seen to reel and fall * After falling back over the brow of the 
bluff, Mr. Carter helped to carry a wounded comrade (Kidder) to 
the rear ; which being accomplished, he dropped on the ground, 
exhausted, and slept till the next morning. 

After this battle, which, with that of South Mountain, had 
made such havoc with the Thirty-fifth as to leave scarcely a com- 
missioned officer unharmed, the boys began to feel a " touch of the 
blues," which gradually yielded to the influence of several weeks 
of inactivity in the neighborhood of Sharpsburg and Pleasant 
Valley. At the former place, a visit from Rev. Mr. Topliff of 
Weston (adjoining their native town) gave much satisfaction to 
the Wayland boys. 

The grand review, Oct. 2, by the general officers and President 
Lincoln, served also to give variety and stimulus to any droop- 
ing spirits. 

On the 28th of October began the movement which resulted 
in the concentration of the whole army in front of Fredericks- 
burg, Va. This movement of so large an army was a grand 
sight, as viewed occasionally from some eminence in passing 
the rough route of Northern Virginia. On the third day's march, 
Mr. Carter was detailed as ambulance-driver, — a position which 
he held for about a year. 

During the artillery-attack near Sulphur Springs, the enemy's 
shells came uncomfortably near, though he and his team received 
no detriment ; but the one in front of his was disabled by a 
shell. 

* Amid these scenes of deadly conflict, there wefe not wanting incidents bordering on the 
ludicrous, that brought from the witnesses shouts of laughter even, — as when a soldier who 
had secured the sobriquet of " Uncle," and was supposed to be not deficient in courage, on 
receiving a slight scratch from some rebel missile, beat a hasty retreat with all his " might and 
main ;" and, on attempting to scale a fence, "pitched heels over head," — a feat which he was 
occasionally reminded of afterwards. 



EDWARD CARTER. Ill 

Many of our men had, ere this, learned that it was good policy 
to construct comfortable quarters, even if obliged to vacate them 
very soon, as was sometimes the case. Mr. Carter, being of a 
mechanical turn, immediately began the construction of a log- 
cabin, ten by twelve feet, for himself and four comrades. This 
structure, as the writer can testify from personal inspection, was 
one of the best of its class in the army, and afforded comforta- 
ble quarters during the winter months.* 

At the battle of Fredericksburg, on the 12th and 13th Decem- 
ber, 1862, Mr. Carter's duties required him to stand by his team, 
in readiness to go for the wounded at a moment's warning ; 
the ambulance-corps being quartered in a sheltered valley half a 
mile from the city. But, during all the day of the fight, no order 
came ; and the drivers could not control their intense desire to 
see for themselves how the battle was going, by gaining an in- 
tervening summit. Here, for several hours, at different intervals, 
Mr. Carter beheld the awful grandeur of the conflict. The ad- 
vancing masses of our men, cut through by the deadly fires of 
the enemy, leaving the ground strewn with the dead and wound- 
ed ; the noise of the battle in its artillery and infantry discharges ; 
and the shouts of tens of thousands of men rushing to the con- 
test, amid the clouds of sulphurous smoke, — gave him a picture 
that is indelibly fixed in his memory. 

From sunset of that day to the dawn of the next morn- 
ing, all the ambulance-corps were incessantly employed in re- 
moving the wounded across the river to a place of safety. It 
was a night of most arduous toil : and the last load removed by 
Mr. Carter exposed him to the enemy's shots : for they had the 
reputation of a willingness to thus murder unarmed and wounded 
men as well as those in open conflict. Winter-quarters were 

* "Thanksgiving Day was celebrated here by a dinner of hasty-pudding and molasses." — 
Letter. 



112 EDWARD CARTER. 

now completed ; Mr. Carter's log-palace receiving additional 
touches from some implements that arrived from home in the 
" big black trunk," * for which the boys from Wayland had long 
been looking. 

On the 9th of February, 1863, orders were received to pack 
up, and proceed to Belle Plain. The roads were in the very 
worst condition for travelling ; the mud being up to the horses' 
bodies in many places. After a few days' delay, the ambulance- 
corps were taken on board transports, and conveyed to Newport 
News. 

The passage proved a most disagreeable one. Both men and 
horses were reduced to half-rations ; and the freezing snow-storm 
on the first day of their arrival was fatal to quite a number of the 
horses, that had been reduced almost to starvation during the voy- 
age. The negroes of the adjacent territory were exceeding glad 
to welcome Union soldiers as their protectors. Mr. Carter speaks 
of them, in general, as always our trustworthy friends, and, con- 
sidering their opportunities for intellectual and moral culture, as 
carrying the balance in their favor for honesty and good be- 
havior. 

A box of good things from home was also a marked addition 
to the general comforts of the place. 

Camp was vacated March 26 ; and the whole corps (Ninth) 
proceeded vid Baltimore to Cincinnati. The trip was altogether 
very agreeable, affording much opportunity to see a large extent 
of territory, and to receive the ready hospitalities of several 

* This was a large trunk, which was stuffed with clothing and other needful things for the 
Wayland men, and was started from home near the close of September, in charge of Mr. Wil- 
liam Heard. He arrived at Pleasant Valley two days after they had left for Virginia, and suc- 
ceeded in overtaking them in person ; but the trunk he sent by express to Washington. Here 
it was found by J. S. Draper, and conveyed to the regiment, on his visit to the army at Falmouth, 
a few days after the battle of Fredericksburg. The articles it contained, especially under-cloth- 
ing, proved most acceptable Christmas-presents. 



EDWARD CARTER. 



113 



places on the way. At Cincinnati, the force of horses was re- 
cruited ; many of them having become unfit for rough duty. The 
series of marches and counter-marches over the territory of Ken- 
tucky, visiting a score or more of towns, gave a fine chance to 
see what Mr. Carter thinks the best agricultural district he ever 
beheld, although not subjected to the improved culture to be 
found in more Eastern States. 

About the ist of June, our soldier found himself and com- 
rades again crossing the Ohio into Cincinnati, on an expedition 
in aid of the reduction of Vicksburg, then invested by an army 
under Gen. Grant. At Cincinnati, the boys partook a second 
time of the free hospitality of the citizens, and then started on 
their way in cars. The warm greetings of the people here, 
and in other places in the Western States, will long be remem- 
bered. 

At Cairo, the troops were transferred from cars to a steamer, 
and proceeded down the Mississippi, whose long narrow line on 
the maps of school-days hardly answered to the actual sight of 
its broad expanse of muddy waters. 

The boat frequently stopped for wood ; and our soldier im- 
proved his opportunities to tread the soil of every State on its 
borders. 

After some delay at the first landing, near Vicksburg, steamers 
were again taken up the Yazoo River to Milldale, Miss. Near 
the close of June, a movement to the South was begun, and pros- 
ecuted as far as Jackson, the capital of the State. Mr. Carter's 
ambulance was frequently loaded with men affected by sunstroke ; 
and, had it not been for the frequent showers, the sufferings of 
the men would have been greatly increased by the intense heat. 

Of the fighting and skirmishing in the reduction of Jackson, 
Mr. Carter saw but little ; his duties not permitting him to take 
part therein. 



114 EDWARD CARTER. 

The Western soldiers with whom our men commingled here 
are described as a rough-looking set, compared with the Massa- 
chusetts troops. On returning to Milldale, the ambulances were 
crowded with men, mostly sick of fevers, dysenteries, and sun- 
stroke. 

The inhabitants had all forsaken their homes on the line of 
the march ; and these homes were often desecrated, and some- 
times entirely destroyed, by our men. At length, after all our 
forces had embarked down the Yazoo, and the sick also had 
been cared for as well as circumstances permitted, though their 
sufferings were greatly increased for want of suitable accommo- 
dations, our soldier, with the ambulance-corps, also took boat in 
a homeward direction ; and he, too, was soon taken sick of 
typhoid-fever. He became unconscious for several days, and, on 
arriving at Cincinnati, was placed in the hospital at Camp Deni- 
son. The relief experienced on being transferred to the nice 
clean cots of the hospital, with its careful nurses, skilful phy- 
sicians, and proper diet, cannot adequately be described.* 

At the end of six weeks he had so far recovered as to pro- 
ceed to his home, under a furlough of thirty days. 

The few days of home-comforts rapidly sped their course, 
but found him still unfit for duty ; and he was allowed to report 
at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. 

Mr. Carter says, " The kind feelings displayed towards me 
when at home nearly unmanned me ; and I found it harder to 
return to the army than I did, on first leaving home, to join it." 

The Thirty-fifth was now at Richmond, Ky. ; where he was 
ordered to report. He proceeded, without incident of note, as 
far as Camp Nelson (a distribution-camp), and found a part of 

* Among other special comforts may be also named the visits of the Sanitary-Commission 
agents, with their supply of reading, clothing, good advice, &c. ; also of citizens of the vicinity, 
whose attentions were most welcome. The hospital was about twelve miles north of the city. 



EDWARD CARTER. II5 

the ambulance-corps there ; where he also learned that the regi- 
ment had moved to Knoxville, Tenn. 

After remaining there two weeks, an order came for all hands 
to cross the mountains, and join Gen. Burnside's army. It was 
a long and tedious drive. On crossing the Cumberland Ridge, 
the ground was covered with snow and sleet, making the wheel- 
brakes useless in descending the steep declivities ; and several 
teams were lost by the drivers losing control of their horses. 

Early in December he came upon the regiment, then at Straw- 
berry Plains ; the siege of Knoxville having been raised. Here 
Mr. Carter again joined the ranks as a private in his old 
company. 

During a stay of several days in this vicinity, while out on 
picket-duty during a severe rain-storm of two days' continuance, 
Mr. Carter's exposure brought on an attack of fever and chills.* 

An order was now received for the regiment to report at Cov- 
ington, and proceed thence to Annapolis. Being unable to 
march, he, with some others, was sent in cars by way of Chatta- 
nooga, through Nashville, Louisville, and thence across the Ohio 
River, through a portion of Indiana, to Cincinnati. This exten- 
sive ride, together with the return from Cincinnati to Annapolis, 
made a grand total of about four thousand miles' travel in cars, 
accomplished by Mr. Carter from the first of January to the first 
week in April ; when he arrived with his regiment at Annapo- 
lis, Md. 

Here, on good camping-ground, under shelter of large tents, 
and with abundant and excellent rations, the boys had a few weeks 
of needful repose. As an important addition to their enjoyment, 
the visits of three or four of their friends from Wayland are 
remembered with much pleasure. 

* The kindness of a Mr. Haynes from Maine, at whose house Mr. Carter was cared for 
during two nights and a day, is gratefully remembered. 



Il6 EDWARD CARTER. 

At this place, several new regiments from Massachusetts, and 
also a division of colored troops, were joined to Gen. Burnside's 
corps ; and at the close of April the whole body of troops began 
their movement towards Washington, en route to join the grand 
and final campaign, resulting in the capture of the secession 
capital and its defenders. 

The fording of streams, and other exposures, revived Mr. Car- 
ter's old acquaintance with fever and chills ; and he was in hos- 
pital-quarters for three days at Washington, after which he re- 
joined his regiment at Brandy Station, on the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad. 

The march southward was renewed on the fourth day of May. 
On the second day of the march, the Thirty-fifth was detailed 
as guard to the wagon-train of the division. Where the Rapidan 
was forded, it was about a hundred and twenty-five feet wide, 
and up to the soldiers' waists in depth ; and it was a provoking 
circumstance, that after the regiment had crossed the stream just 
before sunset, and the boys were preparing to dry their soaked 
garments. Company D had orders to recross, and remain on 
guard. " We had long before learned that grumbling was but 
poor alleviation in such cases." 

The next morning, our company occupied a hill in sight of 
the fight, that had now begun in earnest. Mr. Carter says, " It 
was the most rapid infantry-firing I ever heard. We occupied 
that position all day : the stray bullets often paid us visits ; but 
were harmless, for the most part." 

Having crossed the river for the third time, the march was 
continued all night ; and the next day " we were near enough to 
the fighting-line to receive a few shells, and pretty constant 
whizzing of bullets over our heads." 

But the health of Mr. Carter could not endure the repeated 
river-fordings and night-marches ; and he was allowed the use 



EDWARD CARTER. II7 

of an ambulance for a part of the tramp. On being ordered 
out by an assistant-surgeon, he fainted, and was left behind. 
Some hours after, he was picked up, and sent by ambulance to 
Fredericksburg, where he found quarters in the same church 
from which he took the wounded at the battle in 1862. Pass- 
ing Chancellorsville on his way, it was a revolting sight to be- 
hold the bones of the slain soldiers thickly covering the ground 
in places where they had remained unburied by the rebel con- 
querors of that bloody field. 

A sensible alleviation to the terrible effects of war in this 
crowd of mangled men at Fredericksburg was found in seeing 
and experiencing the benevolent aid of the Sanitary-Commission 
agents, who were busy with all their appliances of comfort. 

From this place he was sent to Washington via Belle Plain. 
There was a continual procession of the slightly wounded on 
foot, and the severely in wagons. At Belle Plain, about nine 
thousand were waiting transports up the river. 

An examining-surgeon inspected every one before stepping 
on board a boat, to see that there was no imposition practised 
to evade field-service. 

Arriving at Washington, he was conveyed to Mount-Pleasant 
Hospital, where every attention was bestowed for his comfort 
and recovery. After a three-weeks' treatment, he was conveyed 
to the McClellan Hospital, near Germantown, in Pennsylvania. 
This was planned and conducted under a most perfect system 
of appliances. Headquarters occupied the centre of a circle, 
around which, at regular distances, were arranged the barracks. 
Iron rails extended through all the regular avenues, on which 
were trucked each day's supplies to each tent and barrack. 

During the rebel raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, about 
the first of August, 1864, Mr. Carter and three hundred others 
were ordered from the hospital to garrison a fort near Harrison, 



Il8 EDWARD CARTER. 

Penn. The duty was light ; and, it being the season for peaches 
and melons (a plentiful supply of which by some means came 
into camp), the change was by no means undesirable. 

After two weeks (the " scare " being over), these men were or- 
dered to their several regiments. Mr. Carter reached his com- 
rades on the 30th of August, — just after the Weldon-railroad 
fight. It was expected to be renewed the next day ; and, the 
night after his arrival, he was out on picket in front of the 
enemy. 

Nothing of special importance occurred during the following 
month. Mr. Carter was selected as one of five to go on a scout, 
to ascertain the position of the enemy, just before the fight at 
Poplar-spring Church. It was not a very delightful -duty to ap- 
proach the lines of the foe, not knowing into what trap he and 
his co-scouters might fall. The task was, however, safely and 
successfully accomplished. 

Sept. 30, the Ninth Corps (Burnside's) moved to the support 
of the Fifth (Warren's), which had taken the enemy's first line 
of works at Poplar Spring. The advance had proceeded a con- 
siderable distance, when the skirmishers became hotly engaged, 
and were driven by the enemy. Our brigade was ordered to 
support the line. An unfortunate gap had been left between 
the Fifth and Ninth Corps, into which a large force of the enemy 
had entered, and gained our rear. Mr. Carter relates, " While I 
was giving my best attention to the skirmish-line, a few rods in 
front of us, I heard the cry raised, ' The rebels are in our rear ! ' 
and, on turning round, I saw that a party of them were close 
upon us, and that our men were scattering in every direction 
for safety. Being several rods in advance of the main portion 
of our line, I, with a few others, saw no chance of escape except 
to secrete ourselves in a thick swampy clump of bushes." The 
bullets came most plentifully. It was a moment of fearful peril. 



EDWARD CARTER. 



119 



in which the chances of immediate death, prolonged prison-tor- 
ture, or the small probability of successful secretion, ran through 
the mind like an electric shock, and demanded immediate deci- 
sion. He rushed for the swamp. But his movements were ob- 
served. A rebel lieutenant was soon upon him, demanding not 
only his surrender, but every thing of value that he had about 
him was also demanded by his rapacious conqueror. 

In a short time, he found himself in company with over fifty 
of his old comrades, four of whom were from his company, 
together with a large number of the German recruits that had 
lately joined the regiment, — all now prisoners of war. 

In view of the well-understood barbarous treatment of their 
prisoners by the rebels, it was, perhaps, some alleviation that 
the sufferings in store could be endured under Ihe aid of such 
mutual sympathy as long-tried comrades knew how to bestow : 
yet it was hard to leave the protection of the dear old flag ; and 
there were manly feelings of grief as the boys started late in 
the evening for Petersburg. Here they were consigned to an 
old tobacco-house that had been partly demolished by Union 
shells. Mr. Carter says, " We were forty-eight hours without 
rations ; and then the supply given out was miserably small in 
quantity, and poor in quality." 

Oct. 3, the prisoners were conveyed to Richmond, and quar- 
tered in the upper story of an old building in Castle Thunder. 
" Here every one was searched ; and every thing but our haver- 
sacks was taken from us." * While here, the rations were hard 
bread, so mouldy, that, when crushed by the teeth, there would 
be a cloud of mould-dust arise, almost suffocating. 

* The notorious rebel Turner, of prison-house memory, was the exacting officer on this 
occasion. Every effort was made by the poor prisoners to secrete their valuables, especially 
money, which was most greedily sought by the rebel officers. One man near Mr. Carter, hav- 
ing a greenback of large denomination, put the same as a wad into his capacious mouth, 
chewing and spitting most vigorously as if his tobacco was of extra quality. He was successful. 



I20 EDWARD CARTER. 

The prisoners were next ordered into freight-cars, and forced 
to crowd them to such a degree, that a standing posture was 
the only one available. In this style they were conveyed to 
Danville, and were there turned into a field. After fasting two 
days, they had for rations half of a pound-loaf of coarse corn- 
bread each. On the 8th of October, Salisbury Prison was 
reached. This was the first occupancy of the place by Union 
prisoners. It had previously been used as a recruiting-camp for 
the rebels. At this time, there was one large building that had 
formerly been a factory of some sort, and four others of small 
dimensions. A plat of ground, containing six acres or more, 
was enclosed by a fence about seven feet high, outside of which, 
on a raised platform, the guard was posted at short intervals. A 
few oak-trees were scattered here and there ; and the enclosure 
was surrounded also by oaks, the acorns from which helped to 
eke out the scanty rations. A few feet from the fence a dead- 
line was marked, across which none of the prisoners could pass 
without being fired at. Nor were they always safe within that 
line. One man was shot dead while sitting leaning against a 
tree, several rods from this line, engaged in reading. 

The guard were mostly boys from fourteen to eighteen years 
of age ; and they seemed to desire the credit of having an op- 
portunity to shoot a Union soldier. Besides the guard, there 
was also a cannon mounted at each corner of the enclosure. 
Such was the prisoners' home. 

No rations were given for the first two days, and then only a 
half-pound loaf per man. Meat of poor quality was given 
usually once a month, — about four ounces per man. A kind of 
soup was made of rice or beans, and served out two or three 
times per week ; but the rations were irregularly issued. One 
week after their first entrance, the prisoners were deprived of 
all sustenance for seventy-two hours ; at the end of which time, 



EDWARD CARTER. 121 

inducements were held out to them to enlist in the ranks of the 
rebel army, or to go to work at different trades, with promises of 
good and abundant rations. Many of the foreigners who had 
been bought into our service by large bounties yielded to the 
temptation ; but the native-born citizens were trUe to their coun- 
try in the midst of their sufferings, except in a very few cases 
where they consented to work for the rebels. 

The number of prisoners rapidly increased ; and in a few 
weeks they amounted to over ten thousand. They were divided 
into squads of a hundred men each, under a sergeant ; and of 
a thousand men, under a sergeant-major. This arrangement 
was for the purpose of drawing rations. After a time, by" reason 
of deaths, the number of men in the squads became reduced, 
while the same number of rations would be dealt out as before ; 
giving thus a surplus to each squad. 

Occasionally, the commissary-department would order a count 
through the squads ; but Yankee ingenuity would provide for 
deficiencies by slyly putting some of the men in the way of 
being counted twice over, and in some cases even three times, 
when they became adepts in the art of deception to appease 
their hunger. They had plenty of time to plan their tricks, 
which were generally successful. 

Want of shelter during the nights, and in storms, occasioned 
great suffering. Mr. Carter had in his haversack, when first 
taken, half a pound of coffee : this he sold to a rebel soldier for 
a dollar in United-States currency; and, when the cold nights 
became intolerable, he bought with his dollar one-half of a 
shelter-tent. He and one of his comrades excavated with their 
hands, and a stick used as a pick, a hole in the ground large 
enough for the two to lie down in : this was their bed, over the 
top of which the tent-piece was stretched as a cover. Other 
soldiers would thus excavate and construct subterranean cham- 



122 EDWARD CARTER. 

bers, in one of which a poor fellow was buried alive by the fall- 
insf-in of the orround above him. 

Toward the close of winter, they were made more comfortable 
by having bell-tents provided for every forty-two soldiers. This 
size tent is the "usual accommodation for fifteen men in army 
regulations. There was just room enough for the forty-two to 
lie down under the tent by placing their heads all to periphery, 
while their feet and legs overlapped and intertwined with each 
other. But as the men were taken sick, and died, the accommo- 
dations for room became better. Eighteen of the men in Mr. 
Carter's tent died before he left. 

It is perhaps superfluous to say, that with frequently unwhole- 
some rations, added to exposures, sickness was fearfully preva- 
lent, and at times unusually fatal. Suitable diet and medicines 
for the sick were wanting ; and far too many of the men hast- 
ened and perhaps determined the fatality of their sickness by 
yielding to the spirit of depression and despair. 

The weather was extremely cold for that climate. Snow fell 
several inches at different times ; and the trees were often loaded 
with ice. On one of these cold snaps, there were found, one 
morning, fourteen men who had perished with the cold. 

The largest number reported dead in one day, while Mr. Car- 
ter was there, was a hundred and thirteen. Doubtless some 
record was kept of these deaths ; but the bodies were thrown 
carelessly on the dead-cart, and buried in a common trench, with 
nothing to mark the names of the victims. 

At one time the prisoners became desperate, and resolved on 
a bold plan to free themselves. Rations of wood were issued 
during the coldest weather. The plan was to divide the sticks 
of wood among the strongest and most active, who were to fall 
upon the guard, seize their guns, and so gain, if possible, entire 
possession. This was to be done when the relief-guard passed 



EDWARD CARTER. 1 23 

at a particular place. It was successful to the extent of killing 
two of the guard, disabling many others, and getting possession 
of about thirty muskets. But an overpowering force compelled 
the prisoners to desist with a loss of thirteen killed and many 
more wounded. The prisoners destroyed the captured muskets, 
instead of surrendering them as ordered. The penalty for this 
outbreak was a loss of two days' rations, and the enforcement of 
greater strictness. 

Articles of clothing from our government came in season to 
have saved much suffering ; but the rebels did not distribute 
any until three days before Mr. Carter was paroled. 

Among the prisoners was a set of men of the roughest morals, 
who constituted a sort of secret society for robbing their fellow- 
prisoners. Rations, and every thing else, were seized upon by 
these unprincipled men (they were called raiders), and appropri- 
ated to themselves without remorse. They became so odious 
at length, that a court was instituted among the prisoners for 
their arrest, trial, and punishment ; and, on their arrival at An- 
napolis, ample evidence of the enormity of their crimes upon 
their fellow-prisoners being produced before a regular military 
court, they were pronounced guilty, and ordered to be shot. On 
two of them the sentence was executed. 

Such are the outline-sketches of the experience of Mr. Carter 
and his comrades during five months' imprisonment. To fill 
up the details of each day's trial and suffering that fell to their 
lot while in usual health, and especially to note the keener ago- 
nies endured in the weary hours of sickness, is not to be attempt- 
ed. Imagination can only get faint glimpses of the reality, so 
sickening and revolting to the true sympathies of a human 
heart. 

Yet these prison-tortures were fully known to the rebel au- 
thorities, who had a special purpose in their infliction, which will 



124 EDWARD CARTER. 

forever stigmatize the conduct of the war, on their part, as bar- 
barous in the extreme. They were understood, also, by our own 
government at Washington ; and the question may still be de- 
bated, whether retaliatory measures would or would not have 
softened the rigors of that inhumanity, which, almost without 
exception, characterized the rebel treatment of prisoners. 

The 2 2d of February, 1865, will long be remembered by Mr. 
Carter as the day of his release from Salisbury Prison, with about 
five thousand others. 

Who can tell the feelings of gratitude experienced by the sol- 
diers at the announcement of their release } Who can portray 
the effect, as a thrill, that almost stopped the pulsing of the heart, 
electrified the haggard forms of these thousands, to whom a new 
day of hope had suddenly risen from the dark night of despair .? 
The sudden news proved too much for several, who dropped 
dead under the excitement. 

Two days' rations were allowed for the journey to the Union 
lines. Mr. Carter sagaciously secured double rations, which he 
was not afraid to show the prison-cemmandant in a taunting 
manner as he passed him for the last time. 

The march was a severe one ; and the unusually inclement 
weather added greatly to the discomfort. Seven or eight miles 
only were accomplished the first day, at the close of which a 
bivouac around fires in a woods prepared the men for about 
fifteen miles the second day, and a still farther distance to reach 
Greensborough on the third, where the parole-papers were 
signed. 

On the second day's march, a bridge was crossed at a dizzy 
height above the Yadskin River, on the narrow planks on which 
the rails were laid, and where the rebel guard dared not follow. 

From Greensborough the prisoners were taken in cars, through 
Goldsborough, to Wilmington. The first sight of the stars 



EDWARD CARTER. 



125 



and stripes awakened inexpressible emotions ; while the com- 
miserating looks and warm welcome of the Union soldiers 
" made us weep at times like children at our welcome home." 

Here their wants were properly cared for ; and in a few days 
they took passage in steamboats for Annapolis. On their arri- 
val, they were stripped of every vestige of their tattered, soiled, 
and vermin-covered prison-clothes ; and the delicious bath and 
clean new garments made them seem other than themselves. 

A thirty-days' furlough awaited them. Mr. Carter, upon whom 
sickness had been gradually stealing, took his way homeward to 
the dear friends whose anxiety had been borne in a suspense 
equalled only in painfulness by the actual sufferings of their 
beloved son and brother. 

Every thing was done to save his emaciated form from pros- 
tration ; but typhoid-fever held high sway. He was unconscious 
of his condition for four weeks; and life trembled in the balance 
for many days. Yet he recovered gradually. His furlough was 
extended. He reported at Boston, and was sent to camp at 
Readville, where he received his discharge-papers, dated June 
15, 1865. 

Mr. Carter was among^ the few who suffered more in the rebel 
prison than a thousand deaths on the battle-field could inflict ; 
yet, in view of it all, he is thankful for having been a soldier in 
the defence of the principles of freedom, justice, and humanity. 

He was married, Nov. 21, 1868, to Helen Moore of Sudbury, 
and resides in Wayland, engaged in his accustomed avocation. 



William Warren Carter. 




•ERY rarely is it found in the records of an army that 
one so young as was Mr. Carter * enters an arm of 
the service which requires so much care of person, 
horse, and equipments, and such sharpness of lookout, 
and agility of movement, as does the cavalry. But 
perhaps a dashing spirit like his could not have 
brooked the slow movements of a foot-march, nor 
have been satisfied with any thing less than a caper- 
ing steed, and a flying pursuit of the vanquished foe, or as speedy 
a retreat when overpowered. 

His enlistment bears date at Lowell, on the i8th of Jantiary, 
1864. He was the son of Albert F. and Cynthia Carter, born 
at Wayland, March 18, 1848. In stature he was five feet two 
inches and a half, with dark complexion, dark hair and eyes, 
and by occupation a shoemaker. Immediately after enlistment, 
he went to the Beach-street barracks in Boston ; and was soon 
transferred to Long Island, in the harbor. Here he found about 
forty others enlisted also in the cavalry service, who, with sticks 
and ramrods for sabres, were learning the drill-manual, by the 
practical exercise of which on the exciting fields of conflict they 
were hoping to serve the cause of their country, and win laurels 
of personal renown. 



* He was sixteen 3'ears and two months old when he enlisted. 
126 



WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. 1 27 

On this bleak island, with weather of unusual severity, under 
protection of only the little "shelter-tents," much suffering was 
endured, — especially by such as our soldier-boy, who came from 
the warm shop of his accustomed avocation. 

At the end of two weeks, he, with his comrades, gladly received 
orders to proceed to a Southern destination. 

On board " The Whirlwind " they found, however, but little 
alleviation of their troubles. A severe storm of snow, rain, and 
hail, with a very rough sea, gave most of the passengers a treat 
of that inelegant concomitant, sea-sickness ; of which our Way- 
land boy received, as he thinks, an overflowing share. Twice 
was their boat lodged on sand-bars before arriving at New York, 
where they were compelled to stop, and change boats ; some of 
" The Whirlwind's " boiler-flues having collapsed on the passage. 
Embarking thence, they arrived, without incident of note, at 
Alexandria, Va., after a voyage (detentions included) of fifteen 
days from Boston.* 

The next day, he, with others, was taken by rail-cars to Vienna, 
Va., — a distance of about twenty miles. This was a place of no 
particular note ; one house, and an old tavern, constituting its 
claim for domiciles. Here he was assigned to Company D (Capt. 
Richards) in the Second Regiment of Cavalry, under command 
of Col. Lowell. Vienna was made its winter-quarters, from 
which detachments were daily sent out as scouts and pickets ; 
leaving, sometimes, but a small part of the regiment in camp. 

A few days after reaching camp, a drenching rain-storm oc- 
curred, with a gale so severe as to unroof many of the quarters 
(Mr. Carter's among them) ; and in this exposure he became so 
chilled, that a brain-fever was the result. It was a severe trial ; 

* It is proper to state that Mr. Carter kept no diary, and that his recollection of dates was 
very imperfect : consequently, many of the incidents of his narrative are recorded without ref- 
erence to time. He gives them only in their order of succession. 



128 WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. 

but the disease finally yielded to a vigorous constitution, aided 
by good medical treatment. The old tavern-house constituted 
hospital-quarters ; and the only cause of complaint that existed 
was the insufficiency of proper rations for sick persons. 

At the end of nearly eight weeks of confinement, he recov- 
ered sufficient strength to visit his home on a furlough of twenty 
days, where, as usual, the tender care of a mother, and other 
helping appliances, contributed to his complete restoration; and 
he started on his return with fresh courage for duty. Some un- 
fortunate delays, however, were the means of his arrest as a de- 
serter on his arrival at Havre de Grace, in Maryland ; being then 
two days behind his time to report. He, with seven others, was 
taken to Fort Henry, Baltimore, and kept under guard two days ; 
and thence to Washington, where he received a pass to rejoin 
his regiment, then on duty at Muddy Branch, Md. Here he was 
fully equipped ; and, with a fine horse, he entered at once upon 
active field-service. It was near this place that he first exchanged 
shots with the rebels, while out on picket-duty. 

From here, he, with others, formed a detachment to scout in 
the neighborhood of Monocacy ; which they accomplished with 
some skirmishing, considerable foraging, and several prisoners. 
While at Muddy Branch, the regiment was attacked by a supe- 
rior force of rebel infantry ; and, after a sharp firing of about ten 
minutes, our men were compelled to retreat, with a loss of sev- 
eral killed and wounded. 

Some time in July, 1864, the regiment was started on a brisk 
move towards Washington ; and when near Rockville, Md., they 
encountered a heavy force of rebel infantry and cavalry. Smart 
skirmishing, and at times heavy firing, were kept up till late at 
night, and during the next day. In the afternoon, a charge 
was made ; and the rebels were routed. But they received re-en- 
forcements, and gave a counter-charge so severe, that "we got 



WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. I 29 

badly cut to pieces," and were obliged to retire. Four of Com- 
pany D were killed. This was a very hot and close engagement. 
Many of the cavalry-men fought at sabre-distance. Mr. Carter 
was within seven or eight feet of the foe at times, and relied 
upon his revolver. 

For nearly a month from this time, it was continual racing 
from place to place, encountering the enemy almost every 
day. The riding was so excessive, that both men and horses 
became exceedingly galled. Mr. Carter relates, that once, in 
particular, the ride was so brisk, that, on removing his pants, 
the skin came with them from the inside of the thighs for nearly 
the whole distance. He gives the places visited, and the fights 
and skirmishes, in the following order: — 

At Brightwood, in Maryland, nearly two days of skirmishing, 
in which the rebels were effectually scattered. Then the river 
was forded at Seneca Locks ; and the regiment went in pursuit 
of Gen. Early's forces in the Shenandoah Valley. They were 
met first at Hallstown, where, for a part of three days, there was 
continual skirmishing, and some solid fighting. The rebels re- 
treated, and made a stand at Charlestown, — the place made 
famous by the execution of John Brown. Although the enemy 
were strongly posted behind breastworks, yet our men, under a 
destructive fire, advanced, and drove them out at the first charge. 

The enemy was closely followed, with continual skirmishes, to 
Fisher's Hill, Berryville, and Winchester. At each of these 
places, they made a stand to oppose our advance ; and the fight- 
ing was sharp, but decisive. At Fisher's Hill, Mr. Carter's right- 
hand comrade received a fatal shot, and was by his assistance 
conveyed to the rear. At Winchester, the rebel lines were well 
formed ; and the double row of bristling steel seemed an impene- 
trable barrier to the rushing line of our cavalry. Not a horse 
could be prevailed on to leap such a line ; and not a man of that 



I30 



WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. 



line quailed before the thundering and clattering of our cavalry- 
charo-e. But the pistol-shots of our men made an opening near 
their centre ; and no time was lost in rushing through, to their 
complete discomfiture. Subsequent to the battle of Winchester, 
he had a narrow escape of capture with his own and one other 
company, who were out on a scouting-expedition. Very unex- 
pectedly, they found themselves entirely surrounded by a large 
body of rebel infantry, through whose ranks they cut their way 
out. 

At Cedar Creek there was another smart fight, resulting in 
driving the enemy. With much skirmishing, they were followed 
to Front Royal, and thence to Luray Valley. When near the 
former place, a brisk battle was fought, that lasted nearly half an 
hour. 

At the court-house of Luray Valley the rebels made also a 
strong resistance in full force. Here our men had orders to 
burn and destroy the property of the rebels indiscriminately, 
which was duly executed. 

Thence the regiment was ordered to the pursuit of Mosby's 
guerillas, in Fauquier County. A small scouting-detachment, 
of which Mr. Carter was one, surrounded and captured seven of 
these noted desperadoes. They were rough and hard-looking 
in the extreme. On being brought into camp, these men were 
summarily disposed of in a manner to chill one's blood ; yet it 
was deemed by our officers in command the shortest and best 
if not the only method to prevent the oft-repeated acts of the 
very same description perpetrated upon our prisoners by these 
o-uerillas. Four of the men were huno;, and the other three shot, 
without even the form of a trial. They met their fate with no 
word of complaint, nor petition for favor. 

While scouting on one occasion, he, with three others, had 
taken shelter in an old barn. Suddenly several of Mosby's men 



WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. I3I 

appeared, and fired on our boys, killing two of them on the spot. 
He and his remaining comrade made good their retreat. 

The regiment was next sent on an expedition to Wainsbor- 
ough to destroy bridges and otherwise break the line of the 
Virginia Central Railroad. This having been done in part, they 
were obliged to encounter a superior force sent from Richmond 
to drive them back. Breastworks were hastily thrown up ; but 
resistance was unavailing, and a retreat was inevitable, — not, how- 
ever, until a general destruction of property had been effected. 
Our turn of being the pursued party now came, first to Staun- 
ton, and then to Harrisonburg, attended with daily, and at times 
hourly, skirmishes. The Shenandoah Valley, down which this 
retreat was accomplished, was made desolate by destruction in 
all its forms of burning and demolishing. 

In falling back gradually, during a week or more, in which our 
cavalry always covered the rear of the infantry, our soldier-boy 
had some narrow escapes from capture. Once, as he was posted 
as vedette, he was nearly surrounded by a squad, but succeeded 
in evading their purpose by a quick dodge. 

While at Middletown, on Cedar Creek, the battle was fought 
in which Gen. Sheridan's famous ride occurred. The regiment 
was here confronted by a heavy force of Gen. Longstreet, se- 
curely posted behind a stone wall. " We made," says Mr. Carter, 
" four distinct charges on that line, and were each time repulsed 
with great loss." His horse was so badly shot as to be useless. 
Here the regiment sustained the loss of its brave colonel during 
the last charge ; and it was then relieved, and sent to arrest the 
stragglers, who had now become very numerous, our lines having 
been broken at nearly every point ; and the enemy were sure of 
a complete victory. But Sheridan was now near at hand. With 
but one of his staff within hearing, he came furiously down the 
pike, passing within a short distance of Mr. Carter. He looked 



132 WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. 

determined, but not much excited. Cheers now rent the air from 
our side, as he rode, regardless of danger, and delivered his or- 
ders. His lines were formed under a heavy fire ; and, before fif- 
teen minutes had elapsed, the foe was desperately charged, and 
with complete success. 

For two or three months succeeding this engagement, the 
business consisted mainly in collecting cattle and horses in those 
places most frequented by guerillas ; and the winter was passed 
without any general fighting, yet in numerous squabbles with 
Mosby's men. Early in the spring, the regiment was put upon 
the move towards Richmond. Our soldier does not remember 
ail the places through which he passed ; but he does recall the 
long and rapid rides in long-continued rain-storms, with the 
mud a foot or more deep, the tearing-up of railroads, and 
the burning of store-houses and bridges, as they scoured the 
country of the rebels. A severe fight occurred at a railroad 
bridge over the South Anna River, to drive the rebels from a 
fort erected there for its protection. Soon after, the James River 
was crossed, and the Second Cavalry was attached to Gen. Grant's 
army at Petersburg. 

The first severe fighting here was near the South-side Rail- 
road. The men were dismounted, and led in a charge on the 
enemy. Here Mr. Carter had a narrow escape from a bullet that 
grazed his head. Our ground gained by this charge was lost 
by a counter-charge of the rebels. 

The next day was the battle of the Five Forks. The regiment 
here also went in dismounted in the hottest of the fray, and were 
among the first to enter the rebel forts. Soon after, the news 
was spread that the rebels were retreating from Petersburg and 
Richmond. Never were men happier than when this intelligence 
reached them. All were on the extreme alert to cut off the 
retreat. 



WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. 1 33 

For four or five days, they were scarcely allowed an hour's 
time for rest and sleep. Moving on the left flank of the rebel 
army, they made frequent captures of prisoners, wagon-trains, 
and cannon. 

Near Appomattox Court House, a heavy line of battle was 
formed ; and our regiment was sent out as skirmishers. There 
was a good deal of firing at first ; but the enemy soon saw that 
it was useless to contend, and sent out a flag of truce. 

Great was the rejoicing on the ninth day of April, 1865, when 
it was known that Lee's army had passed into our hands as 
prisoners of war. 

But a damper was suddenly put on the spirits of the Massa- 
chusetts Second Cavalry when it received orders to join Gen. 
Sherman's army to aid in capturing that of the rebel general 
Johnston. But this was accomplished without much hard riding, 
and without any fighting. 

The regiment soon returned to Washington, in the neigh- 
borhood of which it remained until its return to Massachusetts, 
at the Readville camp, where its members were finally disbanded, 
Aug. 3, 1865; our cavalry-boy, William Warren Carter, among 
them. 

Mr. Carter frankly declares that he considers himself possessed 
of no remarkable degree of courage ; and though he participat- 
ed in all the ficrhts and skirmishes named in the above narrative, 
yet he sometimes fought when he would gladly have escaped, if 
he could have done so honorably. 

He also confesses himself to have been very good at foraging 
in the enemy's country : though he names but one instance for 
which he really felt much sorrow afterward ; viz., the depriving 
of an old secesh lady of her only cow for the benefit of himself 
and his comrades. 

While near Berryville, he, with six others, went out to forage 



134 WILLIAM WARREN CARTER. 

one night, and, having secured what they desired, were all arrest- 
ed on their way back by the provost-guard, and taken before 
their colonel. A little too much confession on the part of some 
resulted in his conviction as the leader, and he was sentenced to 
an uncomfortable acquaintance with two rails ; it being the only 
occasion during the war of his being arrested for unmilitary 
conduct. 

His present residence is Wayland. 



Benjamin Corliss. 




ENJAMIN CORLISS was the son of Joseph and 
Eunice Corliss; born at Natick, March 12, 1834. 
From the first outbreak of the Rebelh'on, his ardent 
sympathies were aroused in behalf of his country; 
and in July, 1861, he enrolled his name as a pri- 
vate in the Thirteenth Infantry Regiment, Com- 
pany H. 

He is described as having a light complexion, with blue eyes 
and dark-brown hair, five feet six inches and a half tall. 

Mr. Corliss was united by marriage with Ellen O. Whitney 
of Wayland, July 17, 1853. 

He left home with enthusiastic hopes of usefulness, and a 
willing heart to share the fearful experiences of war. But an 
unlooked-for fate awaited him. He had been with his regiment 
but about five weeks, when he experienced a very severe attack 
of hemorrhage of the lungs. He pleaded to remain with his 
comrades against the wiser decision of his surgeon, by whose 
order he was compelled to remain while they marched on. 

He was subsequently removed to his home, where his vital 
energies slowly wasted till they finally yielded in peaceful death, 
Nov. 29, 1863. 

His widow has since been married to Mr. Albert T. Lyon of 
Wayland. 



Ferdinand Gorman. 




ERDINAND GORMAN was a native of Baden, 
in Germany. He was born Oct. 19, 1830. He 
emigrated to this country about twelve years pre- 
vious to the war, ten of which had been spent in 
Wayland in the occupation of shoemaking. 

With a wife (Elizabeth Shleicher, to whom he 
was married June 3, 1845) and three children de- 
pending on him for support, Mr. Gorman, with his 
German spirit of love to the " Faderland " transferred to his 
adopted country, felt it to be his duty to aid in maintaining its 
integrity by enlisting as a private for three years in the Thirty- 
eighth Infantry Regiment, Gompany I. 

He is described as being five feet seven inches tall, of dark 
complexion, black hair, and gray eyes. 

Not much of interest is remembered of the camp at Readville, 
of the trip to Baltimore, nor of the month's sojourn there. 

As a simple matter-of-fact man, Mr. Gorman had an eye only 
for his duty as a soldier, and cared but little for surroundings, 
except when the experience was of a critical nature. 

The arrival of the regiment at New Orleans on the last day 
of the year 1862 gave variety to our soldier's army-life. Gamp 
was formed at Garrollton, about four miles from the city, where 
the remainder of the winter was spent. 



FERDINAND CORMAN. I 37 

The march to Port Hudson to co-operate with Admiral Far- 
ragut is recalled as chiefly noteworthy for its rapid movement, 
but with no encounters of a hostile character. 

On the 9th of April, the Thirty-eighth took cars for Brashear 
City, seventy miles west of New Orleans. Thence, crossing a 
lake in boats, a rapid march in light order was commenced. 
Two days after, the rebels were encountered at Fort Bisland ; 
and a battle was the result, which lasted a part of two days. 
The enemy were driven, and closely followed for several days. 
The march was continued to Alexandria, on the Red River, 
where our forces camped and recruited for about a week. From 
thence, marched through Simmsport, en route for Port Hudson. 
These movements were rapid, and told heavily on the energies 
of the men. Port Hudson was in siege by the Union troops ; 
and, although strongly fortified and well defended, it was resolved 
to assault these defences. The time was fixed for the 27th of 
May. It was very warm weather. The assault was a fierce but 
unsuccessful one. Another similar attempt occurred about the 
middle of June. The regiment here lost about ninety men, 
killed, wounded, and missing. 

The place surrendered July 8, and was occupied by Union 
troops the next day. The Thirty-eighth, after several unimpor- 
tant movements, encamped at Baton Rouge. 

In the Red-river expedition, Mr. Gorman went with his regi- 
ment in all their severe marches, and was engaged in the fight 
at Cane River; but the exposures to which he was subjected 
brought him on the sick-list at Alexandria, and he was com- 
pelled to yield to an attack of typhoid-fever. He was taken in 
an ambulance to Simmsport, and thence conveyed by boat to 
the barracks-hospital in New Orleans. 

The best of treatment and care was experienced ; and after six 



138 FERDINAND CORMAN. 

weeks he was able to rejoin his regiment, then at Algiers, about 
the ist of July. 

On the 20th, all hands were put on board a steamer, and moved 
down the river for a northern destination. The boat touched 
at Fortress Monroe, and thence proceeded direct to Washington, 
D.C, where the troops were landed July 30, and the next day 
were put on board cars for Harper's Ferry. 

Active business awaited the Thirty-eighth, which now consti- 
tuted a part of the force of that energetic and untiring warrior. 
Gen. Sheridan. The next two months was a period of continu- 
al excitement. Rapid and continuous marches up and down the 
Valley of the Shenandoah, with alternating battles and skirmishes, 
made this part of our soldier's history eventful. The skir- 
mishes being too numerous to mention, reference is made more 
especially to the fights, — at Berryville, Sept. 3 ; at Opequan, 
Sept. 19; at Fisher's Hill, Sept. 22; and at Cedar Creek, 
Oct. 19. 

At the first of these there was hard fighting for more than an 
hour, when the rebels retreated ; and our men lay on their arms 
on the following night ; but the attack was not renewed. 

At the next battle, a heavier force was engaged. It was an 
open fight. The Thirty-eighth was in the front line. As it 
steadily advanced, the rebels also moved forward to meet it in 
three lines of battle, opening with a heavy fire of artillery as 
well as rifles. The Thirty-eighth was on the right of the brigade, 
and came close upon the enemy. Our single line against their 
three was too much ; and a retreat was made with great loss. In 
the mean time, while the battle was raging furiously in front, 
Sheridan's cavalry had penetrated to the rear of the enemy ; and, 
at what seemed a critical moment, he appeared in front, ordering 
a final charge. The order was obeyed amid a terrible fire at 
first ; but the rebels soon found how matters stood in the rear, 



FERDINAND CORMAN. 



139 



and they suddenly fled, leaving many prisoners and guns in our 
hands. 

At Fisher's Hill, the rebels were again attacked in their forti- 
fied and well-chosen position. It was an eminence about two 
hundred feet high, with pretty steep ascent. Our forces at first 
advanced by regular lines of breastworks, with much show in 
front. Gen. Sheridan was fortunate in again reaching the enemy's 
rear with his cavalry ; and, at the concerted signal for advance, 
the rebels were forced to retire in confusion, leaving their artil- 
lery in our possession. Pursuit was made as far south as Har- 
risonburg, and to Mt. Crawford, — within twenty miles of 
Staunton. 

A week's camping at this exposed post induced a return 
northward ; and, after a march in which there was much de- 
struction of rebel property by our cavalry-men. Cedar Creek 
was reached. Here, on the morning of Oct. 19 (our soldier's 
birthday), the Union forces were suddenly attacked by a large 
body of the enemy. The Thirty-eighth, being on the extreme 
left, early received a heavy charge. Cob Macauley, command- 
ing our brigade, was wounded at the outset, and taken to the 
rear. The rebels came on with their fiercest yell. Our line was 
bravely held until they were within three rods, when a retreat 
was ordered ; but it was too late for many of our brave soldiers, 
who were flanked, and captured to the number of thirteen hun- 
dred In all during the day, Mr. Corman among them. 

Regimental movements are now set aside to trace the fortunes 
of an unfortunate prisoner of war. 

He, with others, was immediately taken across the creek to 
the rebel lines, and remained there till six o'clock, p.m. The 
fighting had continued through the day ; and, at the hour 
named above, the rebel forces were completely routed and pur- 
sued by the Union troops. 



140 FERDINAND CORMAN. 

Mr. Gorman had been without food all day, not having break- 
fasted before the attack ; and in this condition he was started off 
on the double-quick, and forced to march that night the distance 
of thirty-six miles, with but few brief halts. The guard then 
halted to cook their breakfast ; but not a morsel did the prison- 
ers get. The march was again resumed, more leisurely, till three 
o'clock, P.M., when one pint of flour was given to each prisoner, 
which was soon cooked, and eagerly eaten. A few miles farther, 
and Staunton was reached, on the Virginia Central Railroad. 
Three hard-tack were issued here as rations ; and the prisoners 
were placed in cars for Richmond. On arriving at that city, 
they were immediately escorted to Libby Prison. This was a 
large building, three stories high, with grated windows. Mr. 
Corman was assigned to the upper story : it was all in one room, 
and with no furniture or straw. The five hundred men who 
occupied it were obliged to live in an atmosphere poisoned by 
their breaths, and made fetid by their excrement ; and they were 
tormented by the loathsome body-lice that swarmed everywhere. 
Among the inhuman regulations of this den of misery was that 
which subjected a prisoner to the shots of the guard if his face 
was seen at a window, either looking out, or attempting to get a 
breath of pure air. Our soldier, as well as most of the others, 
had no blanket ; and the hard floor was his only chair, table, and 
bed. The rations to each, per diem, consisted of a piece of corn- 
bread about one-half the size of his fist, and half a pint of thin 
porridge. His confinement here was terminated at the end of 
fourteen days. 

From Richmond, Mr. Corman, with several hundred others, 
was sent in cars to the Salisbury Prison, in the central part of 
North Carolina. Twenty-four hours' ride brought them to that 
place at four, p.m., in the midst of a cold rain, about the first of 
November. The prison consisted of an enclosed field, contain- 



FERDINAND CORMAN I4I 

ing some oak-trees, and three or four buildings, one of which 
was used as a hospital. The outer enclosure was a stockade, 
guarded by soldiers every hundred feet. A few tents were 
pitched here and there ; but the great body of the prisoners had 
no shelter. Here, in the cold storm, the men stood in a shiver- 
ing condition behind trees, or huddled close to each other ; a few 
of them around a scanty fire here and there. Mr. Corman had 
picked up on his way a very ragged old blanket, that served to 
protect him a little. 

No rations were allowed the new-comers until the second 
morning after their arrival ; the excuse being, that there were 
none to be had. Such exposure was too much for human nature 
to bear. Mr. Corman was taken sick with what he calls " bone- 
fever," which was probably a severe attack of rheumatic-fever. 
In this condition, he was permitted to use a tent with fifteen 
others ; but no medical attendance was allowed, and no change 
of rations. He was unable to move for three weeks : his legs 
and arms were greatly swollen, and the pain was excruciating. 
A small bottle of some kind of liniment was procured for him, 
which was used with good effect ; but a strong constitution, and 
such care as a few of his comrades could render, enabled him 
to live, and gradually to recover. 

As the weather grew colder, a scanty supply of wood was 
allowed ; and some of the men would lie down at night in the 
ash-pits of extinct fires to secure the little heat remaining. 

Mr. Corman has seen men shot by the guard for stepping 
across the dead-line to get a few acorns to appease their hunger. 

At one time, when but one regiment was stationed there as 
guard (there were usually two), the prisoners desperately under- 
took to free themselves by rushing upon the guard, and seizing 
their muskets. About thirty of these were secured. A large 
number of the prisoners were reported as killed and wounded 



142 FERDINAND CORMAN. 

during the hour which the fray lasted. " Major Magee, com- 
manding the guard, ordered us to give up within fifteen min- 
utes the muskets we had taken, or he would command his men to 
fire on us. Instead of which, we broke and bent the guns ; and 
he was humane enough to withhold his order to fire." As a 
further consequence of this desperate act of the prisoners, no 
rations were issued for two days ; no fires were allowed; and the 
men were not permitted to meet together in squads. 

Sickness and death prevailed to an awful degree. The dead- 
cart was in constant use. On this the dead were piled like the 
carcasses of so many hogs, with legs and arms dangling from the 
sides. Sixty, ninety, and even a hundred and over, were report- 
ed as i\\Q. per-diem mortality. 

On the third day of February, 1865, Mr. Gorman was paroled, 
and sent to Richmond. About a week previous, he received a 
blouse as his share from a box of government-clothing sent to the 
prison. He was without shoes ; and his other clothing was sim- 
ply filthy rags. At Richmond, a further supply was distributed. 
He was in Richmond about three weeks, and was thence con- 
veyed to where the welcome sight of the stars and stripes greeted 
him ; and he was permitted to step beneath their protection on 
a transport which took him to Annapolis, Md. 

From this place he came home on a furlough ; at the expi- 
ration of which he reported, first, at Annapolis ; and was sent 
thence to Alexandria, Va. ; and from thence, about the first of 
April, to Fortress Monroe ; his regiment being now on its sec- 
ond visit to Savannah. After some weeks of delay here, wait- 
ing for transportation, and also at Hilton Head, he arrived safely 
at Savannah, and joined his comrades there, about the first of 
May, in camp outside the city. The war was now over ; and, on 
the last day of June, the regiment embarked for Boston, which 
was reached on the 6th, when all hands were paid off and dis- 
charged. 



FERDINAND CORMAN. 1 43 

Mr. Gorman resides in Wayland ; and although he still suffers 
in his limbs from the effects of the prison-experience, and thinks 
that the services and perils and trials of the soldiers generally 
are not appreciated by those who staid at home, yet he bears no 
regrets at having faithfully endeavored to do his duty to his 
adopted country. 



Joseph Thomas Damon. 




^/OSEPH THOMAS DAMON was a native of Way- 
land; born Jan. 12, 1835. His parents were Sewall 
and Martha M. (Thomas) Damon. 

Early after the election of Abraham Lincoln to the 
presidency, there were such foretokens of a disturb- 
ance in the relations of the States as induced a gradu- 
al preparation, on the part of the North, to meet emer- 
gencies ; and several vessels were fitted out, some of 
them at private expense, to watch things on the coast. With 
a view to make himself useful to his country, Mr. Damon volun- 
teered his services as a seaman in 1861, Jan. 10.* He passed first 
to the receiving-ship " Ohio," then at the Charlestown Navy Yard; 
and was soon after transferred to the ship "North Carolina," in 
New- York harbor. At that time, the bark " Restless " was nearly 
fitted out for a cruise along our Southern coast ; and, although 
not the vessel of his choice, he consented to be mustered in to 
make her complement of men (eighty-four). She was built with 
two decks, and carried on her spar-deck four 32-pound rifled- 
guns, and one heavy pivot-gun. Sixteen men were assigned to 
each gun, eight of whom were required to handle it in action. 



* He had had some experience in seamanship before entering his name in the service of 
the United States. 



JOSEPH THOMAS DAMON. 1 45 

The bark was commanded by Capt. Conroy, an able seaman, 
who won the esteem of all the crew. 

Capt. Conroy believed in securing prompt obedience from his 
crew by the spirit of kindness rather than of roughness and se- 
verity ; and the only case of punishment was when three of the 
landsmen attempted to escape on shore. They were put in irons 
for nine days. 

Under orders to proceed to Hampton Roads, in Virginia," The 
Restless " set sail from New York early in February ; and with 
a stiff though favoring wind, on a rough sea, that point was 
reached the next day ; and she was immediately ordered thence 
to Port Royal, S.C. 

Soon after the surrender of Fort Sumter, " The Restless " 
was sent to blockade the entrance to the Santee River, — about 
thirty miles north of Charleston. The mouth of that river en- 
larges, as it enters the Atlantic, to an extent sufficient to receive 
the name of Bull's Bay ; outside of which, as is usual in similar 
places, there is a sand-bar, with one or two favorable places for 
entrance. In this bay, an island of considerable extent divides 
the channel into North and South Santee. It was the business 
of " The Restless " to prevent blockade-runners from passing the 
inlets in either direction. 

Capt. Conroy first turned his attention to the reduction of a 
sand-battery on the island. This was effected speedily by a few 
hours' shelling, which made the situation of the garrison so un- 
desirable as to induce an unconditional surrender, 

Fortunately for Capt. Conroy, there came to his vessel, among 
others, a very intelligent negro, named Nelson, who was thor- 
oughly acquainted with the waters of the river and bay, and the 
coast generally. He was engaged as a pilot, and was retained 
while the bark remained in those waters, rendering very essen- 
tial service. 



146 JOSEPH THOMAS DAMON. 

Very soon we took three schooners loaded with corn and rice, 
bound for Charleston. They were unarmed, and, of course, 
made no resistance. 

During our stay, the negroes informed us of the route of a 
mail-carrier, and bearer of despatches ; and eight of us volun- 
teered a capture of the " institution," which was a success. Some 
valuable information fell into the hands of our officers thereby. 

Extensive salt-works were soon after destroyed in the vicinity 
by about twenty of our crew. 

Mr. Damon was here detailed as acting commissary-sergeant, 
and remained in that position until the end of the cruise. 

During the summer, " The Restless " made two trips to Port 
Royal, and, while at her station, secured a large number of prizes 
(considering her size) of coastwise vessels running in and out ; 
but by far the most valuable of these were captured on the 24th 
and 27th of October, 1862. 

The mornings at this season were unusually foggy ; and a 
vessel under guidance of a skilful pilot might elude the most 
careful vigilance. Such was the case on the morning of the 24th. 
The British steamer " Scotia " had neared the inlet unperceived ; 
but to her misfortune and our good luck, instead of finding the 
proper channel, she had grounded heavily on a sand-bar, and in 
that position was discovered and secured. 

Three days after, her sister-boat, " The Anglia," not knowing 
the fate of " The Scotia," ran in successfully by the bars under 
cover of fog, but was discovered in season for " The Restless " 
to intercept her gaining the point by the island. Our guns 
brought her to without difficulty. These two English boats 
were fitted out at Nassau with full cargoes of ammunition and 
arms ; with clothing, coffee, liquors, and other valuable articles. 
They were finally taken to Boston and sold, and the prize-money 
distributed. Mr. Damon complains, that, for unexplained causes, 



JOSEPH THOMAS DAMON. 1 47 

these rich prizes never yielded their due proportion to the com- 
mon seaman and other subordinate members of the crew. 

In February, 1863, "The Restless" was found to be so much 
in need of repairs, that she was ordered to Charlestown Navy 
Yard. 

During her stay in Southern waters, she had captured nine- 
teen vessels of various magnitude and importance that were 
engaged in contraband commerce. 

While at the Navy Yard, Mr. Damon, with thirteen others, 
was detailed to remain in charge of her. He had been suffer- 
ing for several months from a severe rupture, and placed him- 
self in the Marine Hospital for treatment. His case was found 
more difficult than at first supposed ; and he was compelled to 
remain for five months, when his condition was deemed inade- 
quate for the service, and he received a discharge for disability. 

In stature he was five feet five inches, with light complexion, 
brown hair, and blue eyes. His marriage with Ella M. Evans 
of Waltham occurred Jan. 28, 1869, 

He still resides in Wayland, engaged in the express-business. 



Edson Capen Davis. 




'HE record of this soldier extends over the full period 
(three years) for which he enlisted ; during which 
time he was constantly with his regiment. By natu- 
ral temperament, he was quick and prompt in action : 
and these qualities, so desirable for a soldier, won 
for him the high esteem of his comrades and officers ; 
one of whom (Surgeon Parker) reports him as "a 
most excellent soldier, true to his duty wherever 
placed." 

He was born Jan. lo, 1835, at Walpole, Mass. His marriage 
with Elmira Hawes of Wayland occurred July 29, i860; by 
whom he had one child, an infant at the time of his enlistment. 
Mr. Davis was of dark complexion, hair, and eyes; six feet 
two inches tall ; and was a shoemaker by occupation. 

The Thirteenth Regiment of Infantry was then recruiting at 
Fort Independence, in Boston harbor. On the 19th of July, he 
joined Company H of this regiment ; and, in about two weeks 
after, he departed with his comrades for the seat of war. 

Outpost-duty was immediately assigned on the Upper Poto- 
mac, in Maryland, where marching from point to point in expec- 
tation of meeting the enemy constituted the chief business. 
Though attended often with considerable hardship, yet Mr. Da- 
vis found sources of enjoyment in the novel scenes that these 



148 



EDS ON CAP EN DAVIS. 1 49 

movements permitted him to observe. An occasional crossing- 
over to the rebel side of the river to capture prisoners, or secure 
rebel stores, gave variety to the autumn campaign. 

Winter-quarters were established at Williamsport, Md., near 
the Potomac, and about sixty miles from Washington ; but the 
soldiers were by no means confined to headquarters during the 
winter months. In December, Company H, with three others, 
was moved to Hancock, thirty-five miles up the river, to watch 
the rebel movements in that vicinity. Nothing of much impor- 
tance occurred : picket-firing and slight skirmishing with small 
parties served to break the monotony. On one occasion. Com- 
pany H had a lively time to escape capture by a superior force. 

About the first of March, winter-quarters were broken up by 
an order from Gen. Banks to cross the river, and proceed, vid 
Martinsburg, Va., to re-enforce his division at Winchester. 

This was by no means a march to be enjoyed. Being without 
tents for more than a week, the men were obliged, at times, to 
bivouac (shelter in houses and old buildings not being found 
enough for all) ; and, to add to the unpleasant feelings, it was 
found that no re-enforcement was needed, and that this march 
of a hundred and forty miles was a useless affair. 

For about three weeks in April, the regiment was stationed 
as guard on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. 

Early in May, marching-orders were again received. The 
movement was south, over the enemy's country to Fredericks- 
burg, Va. ; thence northward again to Manassas. These move- 
ments were without incident of noteworthy importance. Very 
rough roads among the Blue-ridge Hills made rapid marching 
impossible. Hard bread and coffee constituted the entire rations 
for much of the time. 

The vicinity of Manassas, Va., may be taken as the central 
station of the regiment, with other troops, for the months of June 



150 EDSON CAPEN DAVIS. 

and July; from whence movements in various directions diverged 
sometimes for thirty or forty miles, as the counter-movements of 
the enemy seemed to require. 

One year of our soldier's army-life had now been passed with- 
out being called upon to meet the severe ordeal of a regular 
fight. During this year, the Union army had met with severe 
losses and signal repulses in their encounters with the enemy, — 
at the first Bull-run fight, and before Richmond, — while nothing 
of importance had been gained on our part except lessons from 
sad experience ; and Mr. Davis, by no means alone in his feel- 
ings, had his doubts about the skill of some in command of our 
forces. 

The time of battle-trial was now near. Two days before it 
occurred, the regiment moved from Thoroughfare Gap to the 
vicinity of the gathering armies at Manassas Junction, in Virginia. 
Early in the morning of July 30, the Thirteenth was ordered into 
line of battle, taking position as a reserve on the right. In the 
afternoon they were ordered to support the left wing, then waver- 
ing from the severe fire of the enemy. While here, awaiting 
results, it was discovered that the rebels had executed a flank 
movement ; and our line in front retreated hastily to the rear, 
and left the line of supports to take the front of battle. Says 
Mr. Davis, " We supported this line without flinching for near 
half an hour, under a heavy fire of cannon and musketry, doing 
our best in returning the shots, and then were ordered to re- 
treat. It was a severe trial to the pluck of our men." During 
that half-hour, the regiment had nineteen men killed, and more 
than a hundred wounded. The next day, our forces reached 
Centreville. 

During August, the regiment was moving up and down the 
Potomac on patrol-duty. Another battle was at hand. Gen. 
Lee's forces had invaded the north of Maryland. Their partial 



EDSON CAP EN DAVIS. 151 

repulse at South Mountain induced another trial, on more favor- 
able ground, at Antietam. The march to the scene of this battle 
was begun on the 1 3th of September. On the day before the 
general engagement, the regiment was ordered to the line of 
battle under severe shelling. During the night, the men lay on 
their arms; and the next morning (Sept. 17), at six o'clock, the 
line was advanced, under artillery and musketry fire, to a some- 
what sheltered position ; when the rebel fire was returned briskly, 
and kept up for two hours. Our brigade gradually fell back, 
the Thirteenth being the last to retire. During at least three 
hours, our regiment was under fire of the enemy ; and fifteen of 
its number were killed, and a hundred and twenty wounded. 

After the battle, for more than a month, the Thirteenth was 
encamped near Sharpsburg, with scarcely any movement ; and, 
late in October, it began a rapid and painful march to the next 
bloody encounter with the rebel army, — at Fredericksburg. To 
relate the incidents of this march would be only to reiterate the 
soldier's usual experience of exposure to storms without sufiicient 
shelter ; with little else but hard-tack and coffee for food, except 
now and then a treat from a foraging party. 

At the battle of Fredericksburg, the Thirteenth formed a part 
of the corps on the extreme left. On the day before the general 
engagement, they crossed the river, and were ordered in front of 
the line as skirmishers. Mr. Davis relates the part he took as 
follows : " We drove the skirmish-line of the enemy over a large 
plain to the woods, and secured a sheltered position in a road 
front of them, where we remained over night. 

" Early the next morning, the firing began as our main col- 
umns were steadily moved up. Our skirmish-line was advanced 
to a position where it was much exposed ; and we halted, and 
laid close to the ground, with bullets striking all around us, till 
our main line had advanced beyond us. We were then sent 



152 EDSON CAP EN DAVIS. 

half a mile to the rear for a supply of ammunition, and, on our 
return, found that our troops had fallen back, and the heaviest 
firing was over." 

Though much exposed a part of the time during this bloody 
assault, the Thirteenth lost but slightly. One writes, " By what 
miracle our men escaped, no one can tell." 

The months of January, February, March, and April, subse- 
quent, were spent in camp near Fletcher's Chapel, — twelve miles 
from the last scene of action ; the only movement being to the 
United-States ford, on the Rappahannock, about the middle of 
January, amidst a heavy rain-storm, with the mud so deep as to 
make it impossible to move artillery or heavy baggage-trains. 

In this interval, commanders had again changed ; the chief 
now being the famous Gen. Hooker, styled " fighting Joe " by 
the *' boys in blue." 

High hopes were entertained, that, under such a leader, no 
more defeats were to be experienced. Alas ! how soon to be 
dispelled by the disasters of Chancellorsville ! 

On the last days of April, the regiment was moved again to 
confront the enemy. Occupying an exposed position, the men 
were vigorously shelled by the rebels till they found shelter in 
a ditch by the roadside. 

The next day they were moved to a new position, and con- 
structed a temporary breastwork, using bayonets instead of 
shovels. From this, while the batUe was fiercely raging in other 
quarters, they were ordered to make a reconnoissance, which was 
done with some loss of men. But the battle of Chancellorsville 
was now decided against the Union army. Our regiment had 
not been called to the most exposed part ; and the river was re- 
crossed to Falmouth. 

About the middle of June, it was believed that the rebel army 
was concentrating for another raid upon Northern soil ; and 



ED SON CAP EN DAVIS. I 53 

the army was put in motion accordingly. By a series of marches 
in the hottest days of the season, some of which were unprece- 
dented for their celerity, our regiment, with its compeers, found 
themselves encountering the rebel pickets near Gettysburg, 
Penn., on the last day of June. 

Our soldier's statements of the share he took in this battle, 
where not less than six thousand were killed during the three 
days of conflict, are briefly as follows : " Early on the morning 
of July I, we moved forward, and, ere long, heard the roar of the 
cannon that ushered in the battle. We marched rapidly to the 
scene of action, and soon came under fire of the enemy. Our 
brigade was ordered forward by regiments, but at too great dis- 
tances to be of much support to each other. Ours, commanded 
by Col. Leonard till he was wounded, stood its ground for more 
than an hour ; when we were ordered to the rear. During that 
time, we had a sharp encounter with an infantry regiment from 
North Carolina, and took nearly all of them as prisoners. On 
calling the roll, nearly two hundred of our men were found 
missing. The next day, position was t^ken on Cemetery Hill, to 
support batteries ; and the regiment suffered some from the ene- 
my's shells. July 3, in the forenoon, we lay in rear of the batteries 
on Cemetery Hill, but were moved about noon to the support of 
a line of infantry that was wavering. Late in the day, the joyful 
news was heard that the enemy was retreating. 

" No words," says Mr. Davis, " can describe the excitement 
of those days of terrible conflict, when the cannon's roar min- 
gled with the incessant rattle of musketry, and the shouts of the 
charging columns smote the ear with an awful power ; while 
the rushing of infuriated men, with the ghastly forms of the dead, 
and the scarcely less revolting sight of the mutilated but still liv- 
ing ones, made a scene that will remain vivid so long as memory 



154 ED SON CAP EN DAVIS. 

lasts." Mr. Davis escaped with several bullet-holes through his 
garments. 

From this time till near the close of November, no great event 
occurred in which this regiment took part. Marching and coun- 
termarching over the soil of Maryland and Northern Virginia, 
until nearly all its routes became familiar, occupied the time. 
But ap"ain the two armies seem concentratinsf for a new trial of 
strength and skill in battle ; and this time a small stream known 
as Mine Run becomes the centre of interest. The regiment, on 
the 29th of November, was ordered into line of battle, with the 
expectation of a severe encounter ; but councils of war decided 
to abandon the position, and leave the whole field to the rebels. 

The regiment soon went into winter-quarters at Mitchel's 
Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This was the 
extreme outpost of our army ; and the men were, of course, sub- 
jected to harder duties in picketing the line than others. Among 
the pleasant excitements of the winter was a visit from Gen. 
Grant, then made Lieutenant-General of the army, and a grand 
review of our forces. 

The last great campaign of the Eastern Army of the Re- 
public was now planned by Gen. Grant, to be attended by him 
in person ; to wit, an advance on the confederate capital, and, in 
conjunction with the army of Gen. Sherman, to effect a com- 
plete demolition of the rebel forces. 

In this gigantic plan of operations, the Thirteenth, now num- 
bering the closing months of its long service, was to take its 
allotted part of toil and peril. 

On the 3d of May, 1864, marching-orders were issued; and the 
next day, under command of Lieut-Col. Hovey, the regiment 
crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford in the lightest marching- 
order possible, which every soldier had learned to interpret as 
the signal for hard marching, or hot fighting, or both. The biv- 



ED SON CAP EN DAVIS. I 55 

ouac was now to take the place of huts and tents : yet but few 
complaints were heard ; for the men had confidence in their 
commander-in-chief. They believed that he was thoroughly in 
earnest, and would lead them on to victory. 

The next day, the regiment was ordered to the front, and for 
several hours in the afternoon was exchanging shots with the 
enemy, though with but little damage to our men. They laid 
on their arms that night, and the next day moved to the left, and 
threw up breastworks. 

Early in the morning of May 8, after marching nearly all 
night, an advance on the enemy's line of works was ordered. 
They were repulsed by the determined charges, and driven sev- 
eral miles, though not without sharp resistance. About thirty 
of the regiment were counted among the killed, wounded, and 
missing by this day's fight. 

Two days later, having moved still farther to the left, the regi- 
ment was engaged on the skirmish-line with some loss ; and, two 
days after this, a general charge of the rebel lines was ordered, 
in which the Thirteenth sustained its part. 

When near the North Anna River, a vigorous charge of the 
enemy was handsomely repulsed. Every day was now one of 
constant activity, — in marching, fighting, and intrenching. At 
Bethesda the regiment was hotly engaged, though our loss was 
small. At Coal Harbor the Thirteenth were mostly on the 
skirmish-line. 

"From May 4 to June 6," says the regimental report, "we 
were under fire every day and night. At the latter date we 
were held in reserve, and obtained a few days of repose." 

The regiment was soon moved on to the line before Peters- 
burg, and, up to date of July 14, was engaged in building breast- 
works and forts. 

But its long-looked-for close of three-years' service had now 



156 EDS ON CAP EN DAVIS. 

come ; and while the men gladly received the order to proceed 
to Washington, and thence to their good old native State of 
Massachusetts, there was felt also by many of these veteran war- 
riors a deep regret to leave their companions in arms to com- 
plete the work of subjugating the forces of that rebellious spirit 
which had cost the nation such treasures of wealth, and, what was 
far dearer, such sacrifices of human life. 

The regiment arrived at Boston July 21, where it met a warm 
reception and hearty greetings from those, who, for the three long 
years, had been watching with intense interest their warrior- 
friends. 

Mr. Davis's record stands without impeachment; and but 
very few soldiers can say with him, " I was with my regiment 
constantly, from first to last." 

During the last year of his service, he sustained the rank of 
corporal. 

Mr. Davis is still a citizen of Wayland. 



Sumner Aaron Davis. 




UMNER AARON DAVIS was born at Natick, 
Mass., Feb. 13, 1839. His enlistment in Company 
K (Capt. Stone), of the Eleventh Infantry Regiment, 
occurred May 8, 1861. He was five feet six inches 
tall, dark complexion, dark hair, black eyes. He 
bore the name of a true-hearted, brave, and faithful 
soldier, and, up to the fatal hour, shared all the se- 
vere trials of the regiment, except when confined in 
hospitals from the effects of his wounds. 

The regiment entered the seat of war on the ist of July, in 
season to be engaged in the first severe battle and disastrous 
defeat of the war. 

He writes, " We left Centreville at one o'clock in the morning, 
and arrived at the battle-field at ten. The last part of the march 
we moved at double-quick, although the heat was extreme. A 
great many of our men were sun-struck. We threw away our 
blankets and haversacks, so that we aovX^ fight ; and we did fight. 
They had the advantage of masked-batteries and of woods, while 
we fought in the open field. We had but half as many men as 
they ; theirs fresh on the ground, and ours fatigued with rapid 
marching. They were re-enforced when we were nearly used up. 
We fought four hours : our artillery gave out, and we retreated 
to Centreville. Our regiment was thirty-one hours on the march 

157 



158 SUMNER AARON DAVIS. 

and in the fight ; and, during this time (having thrown away my 
haversack), I had nothing to eat but a single hard-tack that a 
comrade gave me. Men were shot down all around me ; and it 
was an awful sight to see the dead and wounded. I thank God 
for my spared life." — Letter. 

In Gen. McClellan's Peninsular campaign, his regiment was 
in Gen. Hooker's division. At the severe engagement at Wil- 
liamsburg, the part it took called forth the strong encomium 
of "gallant in the extreme " from the adjutant-general, and se- 
cured from the State authorities a new regimental color. 

In a letter just after this battle, he writes, "You will get the 
particulars in the papers long before this reaches you : so I need 
write but little. It was a hard time for us ; but we cleaned them 
out handsomely. We lost severely, but not so many as they. 
The day was rainy. We lay on our arms, in the wet, for two 
nights. They tried one of their games upon us without success. 
When we were hard upon them in the charge, they cried out, 
' Don't fire ; we are your friends ; ' at the same time preparing to 
fire on us. We gave them a volley, and then rushed on them 
with bayonets, yelling like bloodhounds. They left like wild- 
cats." 

The part which the Eleventh took in the further progress of 
the campaign, at Fair-oaks, Malvern-hill, and Savage-station 
battles, is matter of history ; and in all these our soldier bore his 
part. But he left no written descriptions of these fearful con- 
flicts. He apologizes to his friends for not writing during these 
conflicts, by saying in a subsequent letter, " You know what we 
have been doing, — marching, fatigue-duty, picketing, skirmish- 
ing, and fighting in regular battles. Besides, we were told, that, 
until after the expected taking of Richmond, none of our letters 
would be sent any farther towards home than Washington." 
Imagination must fill up the details of that terrible campaign. 



SUMNER AARON DAVIS. 1 59 

Scarcely had these war-worn veterans returned to their old 
camping-grounds around the capital, when the second encounter 
of the contending hosts at Bull Run called our soldier and his 
comrades again into battle. Here he received a severe wound 
that confined him in the hospital for more than six months. 

He modestly relates the affair in a letter as follows : " The 
rebs had two batteries posted in the edge of a wood, and sup- 
ported by a whole division of infantry. Our officers, not know- 
ing their strength, ordered our brigade to charge, and take the 
batteries. With fixed bayonets we made the charge ; but they 
opened such a deadly fire upon us, that we could not gain our 
point. I received a wound in the leg from a canister-shot : it is 
not very severe, but as bad as I want it." 

He was now conveyed to a hospital at Alexandria. All his 
letters while under surgical care indicate a patient and hopeful 
spirit. He declined the offer of a discharge ; for he wanted " to 
see the work through." He seemed satisfied that every thing 
was done for his comfort, as well as for his recovery. 

On returning to his regiment on the 17th of March, 1863, he 
found them " stuck in the mud " at Falmouth, Va. The Army 
of the Potomac had exchanged commanders once more, and was 
now under Gen. Hooker. This was a satisfaction to our soldier ; 
and he writes, " I have confidence in Gen. Hooker ; for I have 
fought under him times enough to know his qualities. He never 
has met the enemy without punishing him more severely than he 
received." 

In the battle of Chancellorsville, the Eleventh Regiment was 
called to a deadly encounter on the Plank Road early on the 
first day of the fight. In the four assaults of the enemy at this 
point, which were repulsed with such gallant success as to win 
high praise, our soldier faithfully bore his part, as also on the 
following day.* 

* After this battle, he was promoted corporal. 



l6o SUMNER AARON DAVIS. 

Entering this trial of arms with the confidence inspired by 
the former successes of his leader (" Fighting Joe," as he was 
familiarly termed), how great was his disappointment when 
forced to admit a defeat on retiring again to the old encampment 
at Falmouth! — so great, indeed, that he forbore all allusion to it 
in writing to his friends at home. 

Nearly two months of inaction succeed the disaster of 
Chancellorsville ; but the indomitable power of the foe again 
arouses to action. The free soil of the Keystone State is in- 
vaded. Home, that sacred word, that stirs to its depths the Saxon 
heart, — home, with its dearest associations, was calling loudly 
for defence, when Gen. Lee with his lately victorious hosts 
tramped the fields of freedom. 

As with a common, burning inspiration, our forces rapidly 
move and concentrate. With an almost miraculous energy, and 
under the disadvantage of a change of leader while on the move,* 
the culminating point is reached by corps after corps to decide 
by a great battle the nation's destiny. 

The ridges that overlook Gettysburg on the north and west 
were already bristling with rebel bayonets, when on the first day 
of July, 1863, they were met by the division of the gallant Gen. 
Reynolds ; and the battle-scene was inaugurated with the dis- 
couraging event of the death of that officer. The whole of the 
Eleventh Corps (Gen. Howard's), in which was the Eleventh 
Regiment, now moved into the fray, which became overpow- 
eringly severe, compelling our men to retreat, and form on 
Cemetery Hill. In this fight, though the position held by the 
Eleventh Regiment was very prominent, Mr. Davis escaped 
unhurt. July 2 found the two grand armies fully confront- 
ing each other. Cemetery Hill was held by the soldiers who 

* Gen. Meade succeeded Gen. Hooker, June 28, in command of the Army of the Potomac. 



SUMNER AARON DAVIS. l6l 

fought on the previous day ; while the contest was renewed by 
the newly-arrived troops on lines farther to the west and north. 
Though subjected to some severe shelling, it was not until 
near the close of the day that the Eleventh Corps was called to 
a hot contest by a charge from the rebels under Gen. Ewell. 
In this charge the color-bearer of the Eleventh Regiment was 
shot dead, with numbers of his surrounding comrades, — the 
effects of a murderous volley from the advancing rebels. It was a 
moment of fearful trial to the soldier's courage, who should rear 
and defend the fallen standard. Davis was recognized as one 
of the bravest. Eyes were turned to him in expectancy : for a 
moment, he hesitated. He hears the taunting word " Coward " 
uttered. Turning, he replies, '' Fm not a coward!'' He seizes 
the flag-staff; raises aloft his country's emblem amid a shout of 
bravos. He falls ere they have ceased, pierced through the lower 
part of the chest by the fatal bullet. He is conveyed to a place 
of greater safety, where his life-blood slowly weeps away ; and the 
next morning's sun sees only the pale corse of one whose mem- 
ory should be cherished for his cheerful devotion to his coun- 
try's cause, and for his fearless service in the battle-scenes in 
which he was called to bear a part. 

21 



Charles Franklin Dean. 




HARLES FRANKLIN was a son of Colburn and 
Mary Dean; born at Sudbury, April 3, 1844. He 
was by trade a machinist. 

In stature he was five feet eight inches, of light 
complexion, with black hair and eyes. 

On the first day of August, 1864, he enlisted as 
a private in the Twenty-ninth Company of Heavy 
Artillery, then recruiting on Galloupe's Island, in 
Boston harbor. The company was commanded by Capt. Ken- 
ney. 

On the 8th of October following, the company embarked on the 
steamer " Northern Light " as guard over a thousand men, made 
up of convalescents, substitutes, and recruits. Having landed 
these men at Washington, D.C., the company proceeded to City 
Point, in Virginia, and was attached to the third brigade in the 
second division of the Ninth Army Corps, and immediately as- 
signed to duty. 

Mr. Dean was in three several engagements. At a skirmish 
with Mosby's men near Culpeper, sixty men and one lieutenant 
were captured. During eleven months' service, the company 
was stationed, for longer or shorter periods, at City Point, Fort 
Stevens, Fort Barnard, Fort C. F. Smith, and Culpeper Court 
House. 



CHARLES FRANKLIN DEAN. 163 

Mr. Dean was constantly with his company ; and his uninter- 
rupted good heaUh enabled him fully to sustain his part in the 
duties assigned. After the close of the war, the company re- 
turned to camp on Galloupe's Island ; and the men were dis- 
charged June 29, 1865. 

After his return, he married Lucy C. Bradshaw of Wayland, 
and now resides in Dover, N.H. 



Thomas Alfred Dean. 




N I MATED by the spirit that swept through the 
Northern States in opposition to the rebellious 
spirit of the South, Mr. Dean, with several other 
young men, came forward as volunteers in the 
military service on the seventeenth day of Sep- 
tember, 1862. 

The Cadet Regiment (Forty-fifth Infantry) 
was then recruiting at Camp Meigs, Readville, 
near Boston ; and, by mutual consent. Company F of this regi- 
ment was selected by Mr. Dean and four of his comrades for 
enrolment. 

Mr. Dean speaks of this company as in every respect one of 
the most desirable ; and of its commander, CajDt. Daland, as a 
perfect pattern for an officer ; always taking the lead in difficult 
and dangerous movements, thus inspiring his men with con- 
fidence and bravery. 

Camp-life in Massachusetts passed without any incident of 
note. The severe gale experienced while the regiment was em- 
barked in Boston harbor was rather a source of enjoyment than 
otherwise to Mr. Dean, who, unlike the majority of his comrades, 
had no part in the " stomach rebellion." 

The swamps and sandhills of North Carolina, with its squalid 
inhabitants residing in rickety old huts, relieved only by here 



THOMAS ALFRED DEAN. . 165 

and there a second or third rate town, so contrasted with the 
people and their surroundings in New England as to fully satisfy 
our soldier with his native hills and home. 

Of the Goldsborough expedition, under Gen. Foster, Mr. Dean 
reports it as a hard march, made still harder by coming short of 
rations during the last half of the route. This, however, was 
relieved, in part, by the excitements of foraging, which was winked 
at by the officers as a case of semi-necessity. 

The rebel general Evans's forces were first encountered in 
serious numbers at Kinston, — about thirty-five miles from the 
camp at Newbern. The Atlantic and North-Carolina Railroad 
here crosses the River Neuse ; to defend the bridge over which, 
a force of several thousand, with batteries of artillery, were strong- 
ly posted. After some three or four hours' firing, the rebels were 
driven effectually by a charge, in which the Forty-fifth took an 
important part. During the firing in the first part of the en- 
gagement. Company F was well protected, a part of the time, by 
a church ; and, in the rapid rush of the final charge, the rebel 
shots produced but few casualties to our men. 

In their haste to evacuate the premises, the rebels left their 
dead and wounded on the spot ; some of whom were horribly 
crushed and mangled by the wheels of their own artillery as 
they were hurriedly dragged in the retreat. Such sights of car- 
nage were terrible to unaccustomed eyes. 

A brisk artillery-fight occurred at Whitehall, the contending 
forces being on opposite sides of the river. It was terrific in its 
roar of guns, screeching, and crashing of shells, and their often 
fatal results to our men. 

Gen. Foster's command was now pressed on to Goldsborough, 
— the junction of the two most important railroads in North 
Carolina, and where a large amount of stores was deposited, 
which it was one object of the expedition to destroy. 



1 66 THOMAS ALFRED DEAN. 

The Forty-fifth was the rear-guard, and did not arrive in season 
to become actively engaged in the battle at Goldsborough ; nor 
were they in condition to fight effectively, having expended 
nearly all their ammunition in the previous engagements. 

On its return to Newbern, the regiment occupied its old camp. 
For about three months, it was detailed for provost-guard duty 
in the city. The military orders were strictly enforced. No 
disturbance occurred among the citizens ; and the chief arrests 
were made among the negroes, who, perhaps from ignorance, were 
not unfrequently in the wrong place at the wrong time for their 
personal comfort and quiet. 

In April, 1863, Capt. Dalands company, with others, was de- 
tailed on an expedition up the railroad to reconnoitre, and feel 
the position of the enemy. At Dover Crossroads the rebels 
had erected breastworks, and appeared in considerable force, ex- 
tending along the railroad. After an exchange of volleys. Com- 
pany F was ordered to deploy into skirmish-line. There was 
brisk firing for half an hour or more, when the main body of 
the rebels was effectually routed by a charge from another com- 
pany of the Forty-fifth, simultaneously with a charge all along 
the skirmish-line. One man of Company F was killed. 

The return to Massachusetts in the last of June, 1863, was 
hailed with a hearty welcome by our soldier ; but the welcome 
that he and his comrades received by the citizens of Boston was 
not of the warmest kind. Before landing, they lay for a day 
and a half at anchor in the harbor, entirely without rations; and 
the sumptuous entertainment of a barrel of crackers to each 
company was but a poor token from the people for the nine 
months of service rendered. 

The old camp at Readville was occupied for a few days ; when, 
on the eighth day of July, the boys were formally released from 
further service under this enlistment. 



THOMAS ALFRED DEAN. 1 67 

Mr. Dean subsequently enlisted for a hundred days, and was 
chiefly employed in the vicinity of Alexandria, Va., at Manassas 
Gap, &c., on guard-duty ; during which no encounters with the 
rebels in force occurred, and nothing otherwise noteworthy 
transpired. 

During the entire period of his first enlistment, Mr. Dean 
was never off duty for a single day from any cause. 

He was five feet seven inches high, light complexion, with 
sandy hair and hazel eyes. His birth dates at Framingham, 
Mass., June 17, 1845; his parentage being Henry W. and 
Clarissa (Hammond) Dean. 

At present he resides in Wayland, and is engaged in the 
manufacture of shoes. 



George Taylor Dickey. 




.EORGE TAYLOR DICKEY was a native of 
Weston, Mass. ; the son of Ira S. and Elizabeth 
T. Dickey; born Nov. 3, 1825 ; a farmer by oc- 
cupation. He was married to Rebecca Jane In- 
gersol of Windham, Me., Jan. 8, 185 1, by whom 
he had three children ; the youngest being five 
years old when her father enlisted in the army 
(June 29, 1 861), in Company F, Thirteenth Regi- 
ment of Infantry. 

Dec. 1 1 following, he was taken severely sick with measles 
(then prevalent in camp), which confined him in hospital-quar- 
ters until his death, which occurred March 3, 1862. 

Nothing occurred of special note from the time of his enlist- 
ment to the event of his sickness. He was with his regiment 
in its various marches while on patrol-duty in Maryland ; and 
by his fidelity he secured from his comrades the honorable title 
of " a good soldier." 

A few extracts from his letters will show the spirit of the 
man. When about to march on Harper's Ferry, in expectation 
of meeting the enemy, he writes to his wife : — 

*' Keep up good courage ; for we are in a good cause ... I shall 
try to give a good account of myself while in the army." Again, 
Sept. 9 : " Don't be anxious about me. You know it is every 



168 



GEORGE TAYLOR DICKEY. 1 69 

one's duty to try to put down this Rebellion. If you had seen as 
much of it as I have already, you would think it a pleasure to 
be a Union soldier out here." 

In common with others in the early part of the war, he thought 
that one or two fairly-fought battles would decide the whole mat- 
ter ; and he was anxious to enter the active contest, and almost 
fretfully lamented the seemingly needless delays. 

Oct 4, he writes, " You speak of my getting a discharge : I 
never thought of it; and, furthermore, I do not wish it." 

In his last letter (Feb. 21), he says, " If I live to get home, I 
shall say more, perhaps, than some people there will be glad to 
hear ; for I have not much respect for secesh people at home, 
and my feelings against them are on the increase." 

The immediate cause of his death was pneumonia, produced 
by exposure in being removed from one hospital to another. 

His remains were sent home, and, after impressive funeral- 
exercises, were borne to their resting-place in Sudbury; the 
Home Guard doing escort-duty to the body of Wayland's first 
victim to the war. 

The following obituary, printed in a Maryland newspaper, is 
not without its value in this place : -^ 

" Mr. Dickey had gained the esteem and respect of all who 
knew him. As a soldier he had no superior, and few equals ; 
always prompt to fulfil his duties, and ready to obey any sum- 
mons. He was a sincere friend, a true man, a stanch patriot. 
We all mourn his loss. 

" As a humble representative of the Thirteenth Regiment, I 
tender the sincere and heartfelt sympathies of its members to 
the family of the deceased. May he rest in peace ! 

" George L. Crosby." 



Curtis Warren Draper. 




>HIS youthful but vigorous and efficient soldier was 
the second son of Ira B. and Louisa Draper. He 
was born at Wayland, Sept. 27, 1846, and enlisted 
as a private in the Thirty-ninth Infantry Regiment, 
in Company B, Capt. Graham, Aug. 7, 1862; and 
consequently had not attained the age of sixteen 
years * when he became a member of the Union 
army. 

Such a case of voluntary service, where none could be de- 
manded by the authority of law, is worthy of special note, and 
cannot but command admiration. 

His complexion was light, with blue eyes and dark hair. He 
was five feet six inches in height, and a shoemaker by occupa- 
tion. 

The conditions into which this regiment was thrown by the 
fortunes of war during the former and latter half of its existence 
were so remarkably different, that the soldier who passed through 
both, sees now, on reviewing the picture, scarcely any thing oc- 
curring from the time it left Massachusetts, Sept. 6, 1862, till it 
crossed the Rapidan, May 4, 1864, but a succession of holiday 
reviews and recreations ; while, from the latter date to the day 



* He was the youngest of the Wayland soldiers. 



170 



CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. 171 

of disbanding, he beholds the grim and ghastly realities of war 
depicted in their roughest and deadliest aspect. And though 
the soldier and his friends know that the former experience was 
by no means unimportant, nay, that it was indispensably neces- 
sary, yet he and they have a right to turn with loftier feelings 
of satisfaction to those feats of daring bravery that mark every 
mile from the Wilderness to Petersburg, and that consecrate 
every hour from the first dread encounter to the surrender of 
Lee's army. 

It is not to be presumed that he whose name is at the head 
of this sketch, though sharing in the feelings just expressed, 
did not, with all the ardor of youthful inexperience, derive much 
pleasure and instruction at each advancing step from the very 
first. The trip to Washington ; the first sight of the capital of 
his country ; the first march into hostile territory as he crossed 
the dividing river; the territory of Maryland, over which so 
many marches and counter-marches were performed ; the many 
fords and passes of the Potomac from Washington to Harper's 
Ferry, where, on guard, patrol, and picket, he has borne his 
share of duty by night and by day, in sunshine and in storm ; 
the many camping-grounds, with their incidents of gravity and 
gayety, — these all, with their thousands of connecting links of 
interesting experiences, must be to him pleasant pictures of 
memory. 

Add to this the longer marches on Virginia soil, — from cross- 
ing the Potomac at Berlin in July, 1863, to Mitchell's Station in 
December; all along under the shadow of Blue-ridge peaks; 
•through rough gorges of picturesque beauty ; crossing and re- 
crossing the famed Rappahannock ; treading the historic grounds 
of our victories and defeats ; marking the little hamlets of dilapi- 
dated houses dignified by the pompous name of cities ; meeting 
many a smiling " God bless ye, massa ! " from the despised and 



172 CUR TIS WA RREN DRA PER. 

hopeful Africans, and many a damning curse written on the 
scowling brows and firm-set lips of the proud Southrons, — ah ! 
how must all this, and much more, ever stand forth under the 
sunlight of actual experience, in ineffaceable lines of clearness ! 
Nor less so the few months of patrol-duty at the capital (from 
April 17 to July 9, 1863), where the scene was changed from the 
rustic to the civic ; where the great men of our own and other 
countries made themselves conspicuous, and wealth, beauty, and 
power mingled in the panorama of the crowded streets ; and 
where the machinery of government, sometimes in broken tan- 
gles, and anon in silvery smoothness, wove the web of our na- 
tional destiny. 

There is, however, one exception to the easy experience of 
the first twenty months of this regiment, — that of their forced 
marches, and meeting the enemy (though only with skirmishers) 
on the 28th of November, 1863, at Mine Run, in Virginia. 

After the Gettysburg battle, in July, no general engagement 
had taken place between Lee's and Meade's forces. By march- 
ing and counter-marching, each of these generals had endeav- 
ored to checkmate the other; and the time seemed now to 
have come for another trial of battle. 

Gen. Lee had selected a position on the east side of the stream, 
and had there fortified himself for an emergency. Meade had 
ordered a general concentration of his forces. 

On the 26th of November, while engaged in feasting on a 
Thanksgiving-dinner sent from home (the sumptuousness of 
which may be inferred from the fact that our soldier-boy received 
as his part one leg of a turkey of small dimensions, and one and 
one-fifth part of an apple), the regiment was ordered to move 
with three days' rations. With a naturally good appetite, sharp- 
ened by disappointment in the feast, and made still keener by 
the bracing wintry air, our soldier had nearly consumed the 



CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. I 73 

three-days' allotment in one, and, ere the short campaign had 
closed, found himself eager, with some others, to secure the 
waste kernels of the mules' crib to satisfy his hunger. He re- 
ports that five or even ten dollars would have been thankfully 
given in exchange for a single hard-tack. 

But to return from this incidental digression. They started at 
eight o'clock, a.m. ; crossed the Rappahannock and the Rapidan, 
and bivouacked for the night ; moved at half-past six the next 
morning, and continued their march till midnight, which brought 
them to the close vicinity of the enemy ; moved into line of 
battle next morning ; lay in position all day, forming the right 
of the front line, made up of the First Corps. The enemy's 
works had an ugly look ; and the distance of nearly half a mile 
of exposed ground was to be passed in making the assault. 
Eight o'clock on the morning of the 30th was designated as the 
hour ; but, ere that trying time came, Gen. Meade had con- 
cluded that another Fredericksburg day of human slaughter 
could not be risked. The order was countermanded ; and the 
Union forces very quietly retired. In maintaining the skir- 
mish-line, one man of the regiment was shot through the leg ; 
it being the first blood that had been drawn from the regiment 
by a rebel missile. 

During the winter of 1863-4, the regiment established its 
quarters at Mitchell's Station, — a point on the Orange and Alex- 
andria Railroad about sixty miles from Washington. This 
was the extreme front of our army, and of course gave to guard 
and picket duty a proportionate degree of hardship and danger. 
But with snug-built quarters, and railroad facilities for supplies, 
the boys managed to pass a tolerably comfortable winter. 

Late in April, 1864, the regiment moved from quarters, and 
occupied tents preparatory to the grand campaign for Rich- 
mond, now about to open, with its fierce conflicts, its hard 



174 CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. 

marches, and its sure victories, under the personal supervision 
of Gen. Grant. 

The 4th of May saw the great army in motion. Early in the 
morning, the Thirty-ninth crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, 
and pressed on into the Wilderness,* where they passed the night 
in bivouac, in close proximity to the rebel forces. 

The line of battle was formed the next afternoon ; and, after 
some skirmishing, an unsuccessful charge was made on the ene- 
my. The loss in the regiment was slight ; and the men lay on 
their arms that night. 

They were relieved for a short time on the 6th, and moved 
to the rear, where they were soon disturbed by a rebel battery. 

The following day, breastworks were thrown up ; and the next 
movement was to Laurel Hill. 

Early on the 8th, the cavalry of the two armies met at that 
place ; and the Thirty-ninth, with other troops, was ordered into 
line of supports. A brilliant charge drove the cavalry and batte- 
ries of the rebels back to their infantry-lines. The fighting was 
hard for a time, with severe loss ; and our forces were compelled 
to retreat in disorder. 

On the loth, the regiment was again confronting the rebel 
lines under heavy fire for several hours from the enemy's artille- 
ry. Capt. Graham was wounded among many others. It was a 
terribly hard position : ten or twelve of Company B were killed. 
This action continued from ten, a.m., till five, p.m., when five lines 
of battle were formed, the Thirty-ninth occupying the front, and 
the charge was ordered. A rush was made to within three or 
four rods of the rebel works ; but their fire of batteries and in- 
fantry was overpowering, and our troops fell back, with great 
loss, to their breastworks. The rebel artillery kept up their 

* "The Wilderness" was the name of a post-office in that vicinity. 



CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. I 75 

shelling all night. The following day, on moving to the left, the 
enemy was encountered ; and, after a brisk fight, between two 
and three hundred prisoners were secured. 

On the following night, which was dark in the extreme, a 
movement was made in silence to Spottsylvania. During the 
five days that the regiment remained in the vicinity, it occupied 
different positions, and, though often shelled by the rebel guns, 
had no actual engagement. 

Another movement was made on the 2 ist; and, after two days, 
the North Anna River (a branch of the Pamunkey) was reached 
and crossed. Here a heavy charge was made by the rebel forces, 
who were met with such a determined resistance by our troops, 
that they retreated in disorder. Our soldier says, " It was the 
sharpest fight, for a short one, that I ever experienced." Breast- 
works were built ; and though the firing was kept up constantly, 
and at short range, the regiment lost but few men. 

During the night of the 26th a flank movement was made, 
and the enemy's front was encountered at Bethesda Church. 
The Thirty-ninth was ordered to the skirmish-line; and this 
position was held for several days, with frequent lively times 
and much exposure. Here Mr. Draper had several very nar- 
row escapes from capture. 

After a series of marches, skirmishes, and breastwork opera- 
tions, the 12th of June found our forces crossing the Chickahomi- 
ny River ; and the enemy were again met at White-oak Swamp. 
There was lively skirmishing ; but a general battle was avoided. 

Four days after, the James River was crossed in boats ; and, by 
marching all night, the regiment arrived before Petersburg, tak- 
ing position in a ravine exposed somewhat to rebel shots. 

The next day a successful charge was made, and the rebels 
were driven from their first line of works across the Norfolk 
Railroad. The position now taken by the Thirty-ninth was of 



176 CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. 

great peril ; and the men were obliged to lie under cover dur- 
ing the day, and strengthen their works by night. 

Building forts, and picket-duty, amid the constant exposures 
to rebel bullets and shells, under a scorching sun and in an arid 
atmosphere, made the lot of the soldier one of very severe hard- 
ship ; and this was continued until the Weldon-railroad battle 
occurred, in which the regiment took a prominent part. 

"About noon on the i8th of August," says Mr. Draper, "a 
line was ordered for an advance on the rebel works ; but they 
did not wait for us. Before we were fairly in line, they advanced 
with crushing force. The firing was terrific for a short time, 
and the men of the Thirty-ninth were in a most exposed situa- 
tion; but they held their ground until a portion of the rebel 
,force had gained a position in their rear, and were taking our 
men by scores on the left as prisoners. Our batteries too, see- 
ing these rebels in our rear, played their fire upon them, and, in 
doing this, subjected us to peril. Under these circumstances, 
the right of our line made a desperate cut for retreat. A few 
moments after, the Thirty-ninth made a furious charge on some 
rebel detachments as they were taking our men off in triumph, 
and successfully effected their release. The ground gained was 
held during the night; but, under a heavy shelling, the next 
day it was abandoned, and the Thirty-ninth passed to the rear." 

At the close of September, the regiment was under orders for 
a reconnoissance, and was put on to the skirmish-line. Lively 
firing was kept up for a while, when the line was abandoned. 

Nothing very important occurred during the months of Octo- 
ber and November in which the Thirty-ninth took a part. Gar- 
risoning forts, with an occasional reconnoissance, made up the 
general programme, with a daily amount of artillery and infantry 
firing, that, in ordinary times, would be called alarming. 

Early in December, the regiment marched out on the Jerusa- 



CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. I 77 

lem Plank Road, about eighteen miles, reaching a point on the 
Weldon Railroad known as Jarrett's Station, where a night was 
spent in tearing up the rails, and burning the sleepers. On re- 
turning, they formed the rear-guard, and were much molested by 
the rebel cavalry, who followed closely, and picked up several of 
our men as prisoners. 

Winter-quarters were now constructed on the Plank Road ; 
and but little beyond the usual routine was effected until the first 
week in February, when an expedition was formed to dislodge 
the rebels at Hatcher's Run, — about fifteen miles distant from 
camp. The regiment held the right on the first line of batde. 
The first charge was unsuccessful ; but, at the next trial, the 
rebels were forced to yield, after obstinate fighting. The next 
day, battle was renewed. The regiment was now detailed as skir- 
mishers, and drove the rebels from their lines of rifle-pits. An 
advance of the whole line resulted in a signal defeat. But Gen. 
Warren resolved to recover the lost ground. He massed his 
troops the next morning, during one of the coldest of rain- 
storms, so benumbing that the men could not feel the caps in 
their pouches. " Our line had not advanced four paces when the 
firing from the rebel works began in earnest. Our men went 
in on short rations, which, with the severe cold rain, made their 
sufferings intense. After a contest nearly all day, the rebels 
were driven back. A lieutenant-colonel from the rebel lines 
came into ours near the close of the day, saying he was dis- 
gusted with the conduct of his men." 

The close of the winter ^2js, varied by two or three grand 
reviews ; President Lincoln being one of the most conspicuous 
visitors. 

The regiment began the spring campaigns by a movement 
towards the Boynton Plank Road, where it met the enemy in 
force, and, after a sharp contest, compelled him to retire. Mov- 



178 CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. 

ing to the left, near Gravel Run, an overpowering force was en- 
countered. The skirmish-line (Thirty-ninth) tried hard to main- 
tain its ground, but had to retire with severe loss. In the after- 
noon, being re-enforced, an attack was made upon the rebel lines, 
and the lost ground recovered. The fighting was most obsti- 
nate, however, on both sides. Our soldier thinks it the severest 
trial to his courage of any in the war. The ground over which 
the regiment charged was open before the enemy : the advance 
was made by first discharging a volley, then rushing'with all 
speed through the smoke for a distance, then lying down to load, 
then repeating the firing, &c., until the rebels were routed. 

The most brilliant achievement of the regiment was in con- 
nection with Gen. Sheridan's cavalry, at a place called the Five 
Forks. Leaving camp early on the morning of the first day of 
April, it arrived on the battle-ground at noon, and was placed 
in the centre of the line, flanked by cavalry. The assault was a 
most energetic one, and so well carried out, that nearly five 
miles of the enemy's line fell into our possession, and a large 
part of the rebel force was captured. 

Being now under Gen. Sheridan, active movements became 
the order of the day. The success at Five Forks had left the 
way open to the north and west of Petersburg and Richmond ; 
and Gen. Sheridan was quick to improve the advantage. A 
week of very rapid marches, in which there were several smart 
skirmisKes, brought the Thirty-ninth, with other forces, near Ap- 
pomattox Court House on the 9th of April, before Gen. Lee's 
main army. That army, which ha4 so long kept Gen. Grant's 
forces at bay before Petersburg, was now in his power so com- 
pletely, that any more fighting was useless. The grateful news 
soon spread that the whole army had surrendered. Great was 
the rejoicing ; though many of the men were nearly exhausted, 
ragged, and barefooted. 



CURTIS WARREN DRAPER. 



179 



On the first day of May, the regiment began its march for 
Washington ; during the last day of which one of the most 
terrific thunder-showers occurred, drenching the men to the 
skin. Many of the boys took such colds by reason of this ex- 
posure, that they remained long on the sick-list at Washington, 
instead of returning with their comrades to their homes. 

The arrival at the barracks in Readville was on the 6th of 
June, 1865, after nearly three years of service. 

Thus closes the sketch of a youthful soldier, who can say, 
what can be said of not one in a thousand, " I was never off from 
duty a single day." He was in every skirmish and battle in 
which his regiment participated, twenty-nine of which could be 
called regular engagements ; and, though fearfully exposed in 
many of these battles, he was never struck but once by a rebel 
missile, and then the bullet was so far spent in its force as not to 
injure him essentially. 

It is worthy of remark, that, of those who constituted the com- 
pany of which he was a member at the time of its departure 
for the war, ov\y five remained to return to camp at Readville at 
its close. 



Frank Winthrop Draper. 




HE following narrative was put into our hands by 
Mr. Draper, our associate on the Committee, with the 
request that we revise it with large omissions, so as 
to bring it within narrower compass. Mr. Draper 
declined this responsibility on account of the family 
connection. Appreciating his motives, we have 
taken the entire responsibility in regard to Capt. 
Draper s narrative. But, on careful examination, we 
have deemed it unwise to cut it down, or materially to alter it. 
It is a connected narrative of marked interest, giving an inside 
view of army-operations, and showing the very spirit of the war, 
such as we have rarely met with. We therefore give it nearly 
entire, believing thereby that it will enrich the volume, and add 
greatly to its value ; whereas to compress it, or make only selec- 
tions from it, would break up the connection, or reduce it to such 
details as would destroy its life, or impair its interest. 

Edmund H. Sears. 
Lafayette Dudley. 



Possessing advantages for observation and for writing, while 
in the army, which were enjoyed by but few, if any, of his com- 
rades from Wayland, this soldier improved his first opportuni- 



180 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. i8l 

ties, after the close of hostilities, in preparing a connected nar- 
ration of his experiences during the war.* 

From this narrative copious extracts have been made in the 
following pages, under the belief that it will afford a better view 
of many of the aspects of army-life than would otherwise be 
obtained. 

It is only to be regretted that all the soldiers were not prompt- 
ed to prepare similar narratives of their eventful lives. Such 
papers would descend to their posterity as heirlooms of no 
common value. 

The body of the following narrative will be made up entirely 
of the extracts above referred to, reserving selections from let- 
ters, and other matter, to be introduced as notes. 

" The war had been waged more than a year, — a war whose 
like history had not recorded. On the one side, fanaticism, am- 
bition, slavery, brought all their appliances to bear to subvert a 
just and good government: on the other, that government, 
supported by brave and true men, animated by a sublime convic- 
tion of the righteousness of their cause, was doing its utmost 
to overthrow the rebellious power. 

" It was not unnatural that a young man educated with the 
idea that patriotism was a virtue of no secondary consideration, 
and daily receiving lessons in science and morality which must 
inevitably prepare his mind more truly to appreciate the great 
principles at stake, should feel a desire to be ' at the front' t 

* His correspondence while in the army, covering twelve hundred and ninety-six pages, 
closely written, carefully describing the current events, and illustrated by topographical sketch- 
es and maps, together with a journal which he kept, enabled him to complete his work with 
unusual accuracy of detail. 

t The following extract from a letter written to his father at this time will illustrate the 
state of his feelings : " My desire is the result of no transitory excitement. I am led on by con- 
viction of duty, firm and unselfish. I see how you all feel about it. I know that mother is over- 
whelmed at the thought of my going into this ' horrid war.' But how many mothers have sent 



152 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" My earliest enthusiasm, however, was dampened by affec- 
tionate protestations from home. Maternal objections mingling 
with paternal arguments that the struggle would be short, and 
that it were far better that with my feeble constitution I should 
finish my college-course than endanger ray young life by ex- 
posures and privations in the army, induced an unwilling com- 
pliance. 

" The last year of college-life passed wearily. During that 
time, the Rebellion seemed to have gathered strength ; and the 
war, instead of passing away like a shadow from the land, as 
many anticipated, appeared still to be waged with uncommon per- 
severance. The disastrous campaign of Gen. McClellan on the 
Peninsula and before Richmond left our splendid army com- 
pletely dispirited, and wofully depleted ; while the victories of our 
arms at the West had been achieved only at great cost. In the 
Valley of the Shenandoah, Gen. Banks had been forced to re- 
treat before that intrepid rebel officer, Stonewall Jackson ; and, in 
that retreat, many at the North, particularly in New England, 
saw and felt the danger of their capital. 

" Under the spur of this hour of anxiety, which I keenly felt, 
on the twenty-eighth day of May I wrote my autograph in the 
roll of those who had determined to be soldiers for ninety days, 
under command of Col. W. W. Brown of the Providence Lis^ht 
Infantry. But our anticipations of military renown in this our 
first campaign were brought to an untimely end, and with no 
greater loss on my part than that of two days' recitations ; for, 
before we were fairly equipped for service,. we received orders 
that the capital was safe, and that our special services were not 
needed. 

forth their sons with like feelings ! There are duties which we owe to our country that tran- 
scend those of home. I do not argue the existence of such : I know it ; I feel it. 

" And as for college-preferment, I am willing to forego my brightest anticipations in this 
direction, and give myself wholly to my country ; yes, my life, if need be." 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 1 83 

" The close of my studies at Brown University early in July, 
1862, seemed to be an occasion when no objection existed to the 
carrying-out of my cherished wish : and, on returning home, I 
at once clearly and pointedly demonstrated my ideas and convic- 
tions that happiness and contentment at home were out of the 
question so long as a rebel remained in arms ; that the highest 
sentiments of patriotism should induce every young man situat- 
ed as I was to be at the front ; that my convictions of duty were 
to me sufficient to overcome all objections, especially as those 
convictions (so I believed) were the result of no transient enthusi- 
asm, but a feeling, which, if I became a soldier, would support 
me through any and all trials and privations. And I have since 
realized how true were my ideas at that time ; and that a soldier, 
feeling that he is doing his duty, however hard, and who always 
strives to find ' the silver lining ' to every cloud, will be contented. 

" Meantime the war-fever ran high, and amounted almost to an 
epidemic, throughout the country. Young men were every- 
where volunteering, and old men were cheering them on. The 
enthusiasm was almost indescribable. War-meetings were held 
everywhere, and towns vied with each other in filling their quotas. 
Bounties were offered, and a system thus inaugurated which 
afterwards produced many evils. 

" The quota of Wayland for the President's call for three hun- 
dred thousand men for three years' service, made in July, 1862, 
was nineteen. Nineteen of the young men of the town were 
to step forward, and be men, or their native place was to be dis- 
honored by an enforced conscription. The question needed no 
discussion. Charles H. Campbell, with a heart brimful of pa- 
triotism, exhibited a manhood worthy of emulation. Love of 
country, and the principles which cluster around our republican- 
ism, overcame his love for aught else ; and, abandoning his dear- 
est interests at home, he challenged the young men to follow 



184 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

him ; and half a score presented themselves at once amid the 
cheers of the citizens there assembled. 

" The evening of the 3d of August, 1862, witnessed the act I 
shall ever regard as the most honorable of my life. I shall 
never forget the time. It was the twilight of a beautiful sabbath 
day. Calmness and sweet peace reigned in Nature. With every 
thing beautiful around, and with a contented spirit within, I, on 
that sabbath evening, enrolled myself among the patriotic volun- 
teers of Wayland. Around that little act cluster memories and 
associations it is pleasant to recall. I am proud now of the deed 
as I was then. I felt that my claims to a true manhood had been 
asserted. 

" What events and adventures have followed that little but 
important act, how fully the task assigned has been performed, 
and how completely the spirit then controlling has since sus- 
tained me, the following pages will show. 

" An attempt was made during the week following enlistment 
to obtain the situation of hospital-steward. Want of success, 
however, induced me to forego all similar plans for preferment, 
and, in company with several of the Wayland boys, to join as a 
private the company of which Mr. John W. Hudson (my former 
school-teacher) was second lieutenant, and which was to be at- 
tached to the Thirty-fifth Regiment of Infantry, then forming 
at Camp Stanton, in Lynnfield. 

" Life in camp was at first sufficiently novel and busy to pre- 
vent it from being monotonous. There was squad-drill and 
company-drill, in which Capt Dolan, in a squeaking voice, be- 
trayed his ignorance of Casey's tactics. There was guard-duty 
and fatigue-duty, and many other et ccEteras, that seemed to the 
incipient soldier of much importance. Then the frequent visits 
of friends, who came well laden with good things, gave us scarce- 
ly time to think of our three-years' separation from home. The 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 185 

call from a party of young ladies from our native town, with 
their kindly tokens, was long remembered. 

" On Saturday, the i6th of August, the members of Company 
D were permitted to go home for the last time before leaving 
the State. That last sabbath at home left long-cherished im- 
pressions ; and the spirit of the sermon preached by Rev. Charles 
Sewall, inculcating a childish trust in the overruling Providence 
' who doeth all things well,' has often sustained my faltering steps 
in the midst of uncommon trials and difficulties. 

" It was hard to say good-by ; harder for my kindred and 
friends to see me depart, than for me, sustained as I was by a 
sense of duty, to leave the scenes of home. My father and 
mother, with words of cheer, bade me go forth ; and not me only, 
for with me went my eldest brother James : and though the 
parting was thus doubly trying, yet there were no regrets at our 
course sufficiently strong to stand as hinderances. Our grand- 
father too, who years before bade a similar adieu to his friends, 
and went soldiering in defence of the same principles, bade us 
God speed, with assurances that it would ' all come out right ; ' 
and grandmother, dear, tender-hearted grandmother, bestowed 
on us her tearful benediction. So cheered and sustained, we 
went from the loved scenes of home. 

" Expatiation on the duties and responsibilities of a private 
soldier is, I imagine, unnecessary here. From experience I soon 
learned, that, generally speaking, a private in the ranks is the 
most irresponsible creature in existence. His whole duty con- 
sists in implicit obedience ; and this obedience constitutes disci- 
pline. If Capt. Dolan says, ' Every tent must have twenty-six 
men in it,' it is useless, nay criminal, to point out in the most 
gentlemanly language the inconveniece of making a pig-pen of 
our cotton-house, or of making pigs of ourselves, who but yester- 
day were sovereign citizens, endowed with certain inalienable 

24 



1 86 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

rights. If Orderly-Sergeant says, ' Draper, you are detailed 

for guard,' Draper need not protest ; for he will go on guard, 
nolens volens. Even now, the remembrance of those days of 
' breaking in ' awakens a sort of rebellious spirit against a disci- 
pline that takes from man his highest prerogative. 

" I remember my first experience on duty as guard ; and it is 
interesting to me now to recall the sensations of responsibility I 
felt. How proudly then I walked my beat ! how, with all the dig- 
nity and stiffness of an ' Old Guard ' of France, did I render the 
military salute to officers ! And then, at night, how wearily the 
two hours passed ! And once, when the temptations of ' tired 
Nature's sweet restorer ' became irresistible, I now confess to a 
little arrangement made with my neighbor-guard (Ed. Carter) 
to wake me if necessary, and, after a nap, I would break the 
risfid law with him in like manner. 

" On the morning of Friday, Aug. 22, was presented a specta- 
cle of a lively character in our camp. We were packing up ; and 
all the skill of a veteran soldier was necessary to stow away in 
the limited space of our knapsacks all the little tokens of fond af- 
fection, and the various articles which had been supplied to aid in 
smoothing the rough way we anticipated, and which were ulti- 
mately thrown away as useless incumbrances. Indescribable 
patterns of housewifery, patent water-filters, boxes and phials of 
medicines, writing-apparatus, books and pictures, besides shirts 
and socks, coats and pants, and other impedimenta too numerous 
to mention, — all were crammed unmercifully into the apartments, 
until the knapsack looked like the fabled frog that tried to be 
as big as an ox. 

" The morning was dark and damp. Two or three hours of 
waiting, with our ponderous knapsacks on our backs, — looking 
like the picture of the world on the shoulders of old Atlas, — at 
length culminated in our departure for Boston in the midst of 
a drenching shower. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 187 

" Haymarket Square was crowded. Crowds I had seen be- 
fore ; but there was a strangeness in this that was almost over- 
powering. The cheers, the shouts of recognition, the ' Good- 
bys ' and ' God bless yous,' mingling with officers' commands 
and martial music, made a Babel of influences not before experi- 
enced. 

" At the word of Col. Wild, forward we marched in the hot, 
muggy air, with the weight of rifle and other equipments, and 
that cruel burden on our backs ; forward through State Street, 
with ears and eyes filled to surfeit with sights and sounds of 
commendation (yet not so full that I failed to observe a dear 
sister on a balcony, and to wave a farewell salute); forward to the 
State House, where a tiresome half-hour must be endured for 
the official ceremonies. 

"It was no wonder that Corporal Marchant, a great overgrown 
man, should faint under all the pressure. He was a sensible man 
in becoming insensible and getting a ride. I would have fainted 
if I could. 

" Forward again ! Somebody caught my hand : it was my 

brother C . Some one else saluted me, — my good friend 

T. W. B . They both accompanied me to the Old-Colony 

Depot ; and so I said good-by to all I knew, and rolled away from 
Boston. 

" I record this march (the most fatiguing to my unaccustomed 
muscles of any in my recollection) in order to enter a protest 
against the habit which colonels on horseback have of showing 
their commands to city crowds, — a practice that so much resem- 
bles the first entree of a circus into a town. 

" Fall River was reached late at night; and we took passage in 
' The Bay State ' (steamer) for Jersey City, where we arrived at 
eleven o'clock, a.m., the next day, after a beautiful passage through 
the Sound. 



1 88 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" At Philadelphia we were stopped for the first time to receive 
the hospitality of citizens, whose generous sympathy was shown 
in actions more than in words during the war. A little incident 
occurred here illustrating Col. Wild's temperance proclivities. 
A dram-shop had bountifully supplied our men with bad whiskey. 
Company K was ordered to summarily abate the nuisance. The 
mayor, on protesting against such proceedings, received reply 
from the colonel, .' I and my command are under orders to 
proceed without delay to Washington ; and, if you attempt to 
hinder my so doing, I shall be obliged to take you along with 
me.' 

" We marched quietly through the streets of Baltimore at an 
early hour on Sunday morning, with'JDut few to greet us in that 
semi-rebel city. 

" At eleven, a.m., while riding on the roof of a cattle-car, I 
saw for the first time the white dome of our national Capitol, its 
marble roof glistening in the hot sun, and its magnificent pro- 
portions standing out in bold relief. It was gratifying to feel that 
it was still safe and unmolested ; and there was a sort of pride 
that we were among the armed defenders of our nation's sanc- 
tuary. 

" Rather meagre fare was served to us at Washington in the 
' Soldiers Retreat,' as it was called. Think of it ! — the national 
capital feeding its inexperienced soldiers on milkless and sugar- 
less coffee, stale bread, and*on meat that w^as evidently ' touched ' ! 
The valiant representatives of the aristocratic State of Massa- 
chusetts ^r?^»/^/i?^/ — that accomplishment being the so\q perfect 
attainment, which, as soldiers, they had then acquired. 

" A tiresome delay was partly improved by a few of us in ob- 
taining a few cursory views in the great city. We went to the 
Capitol, and gazed with becoming awe at the huge proportions 
of that edifice. Peering with Yankee curiosity through the lower 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 1 89 

windows at the mosaic floors and frescoed walls of the interior 
led some one to remark that ' Uncle Sam must be pretty well 
off.' 

" The march through Washington and Georgetown, and be- 
yond to our camp on Arlington Heights, is not without note- 
worthiness. The novelty of the imposing parade up the avenue, 
during which we were repeatedly cautioned by Capt. Dolan to 
keep our head ' square to the front,' soon wore off after we left 
the city and commenced our toilsome trudge over the dusty road. 
The repeated assurance of our officers that ' it is only a little 
way ' soon lost its charm as an encouragement ; and most of the 
boys came to the conclusion that soldiering was no fun. I en- 
dured the march in Boston partly because I was near home, and 
pride held sway; but here in the Wilderness, hundreds of miles 
away, and after the severe jolting of a forty-eight hours' ride, 
the distance seemed inexplicably long, and our destination a 
' will-o'-the-wisp.' * I have since found, that, however convenient 
patriotism is to talk about and grow eloquent upon, soldiers in 
general do not regard it as a panacea against fatigue. 

" After much straggling and some emphatic expressions usually 
considered more expressive than elegant, we lay our dusty, worn- 
out bodies to rest in a field on the heights somewhere in Vir- 
ginia. The omission of roll-call that night saved many brave 
soldiers of the gallant Thirty-fifth from an exhibition of their 
delinquencies. 

" Much to our comfort, we soon exchanged our first dusty 
camp-ground for one more eligible and nearer the city. From 
this latter position I have often looked with admiring gaze at 
the city opposite, with its noble buildings, and the tawny Poto- 
mac between. 

* In a letter he says, " I make no boast of my exploit ; but, after the experience of the last 
six days, I entertain no doubt of my ability to stand the service hereafter." 



190 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" Not the least fortunate incident in my career was my initia- 
tion as a ' bummer.' 

"On the 27th of August, I exchanged my occupation as a 
soldier in the ranks for the more congenial and less irksome 
position of a hospital-attendant. Thus early did my resolution 
to ' do and die ' seem to become exhausted ; while I, in turn, de- 
termined to ' do ' and keep others from ' dying.' 

" Dr. Lincoln, who stood at the head of affairs medical and 
surgical, was the most supercilious, cold-hearted, ungenerous 
kind of a man I have ever met.* Drs. Clark and Munsell, his 
subordinates, will be always remembered in a different light. As 
to the others with whom I was associated in the relation of 
' bummers,' I have not much to say. They were good fellows in 
their way, and we generally got on quite well. 

" Those latter days of August were eventful to the nation. 
The hostile demonstrations of Gen. Lee bade fair to be seriously 
disastrous. The sounds of artillery and musketry, as they rolled 
across the heights from the battle-fields of the second Bull Run, 
Cedar Mountain, and Chantilly, had a peculiar meaning to us 
raw recruits ; and, like others of similar experience, we longed for 
the time to come, when, by being sufficiently drilled, we, too, 
could ' meet and strike the foe.' 

" One day a division of Gen. McClellan's army passed our 
camp, marching rapidly toward the front. It was hard to realize 
that we ' bandbox soldiers ' could ever become like those veter- 
ans, — dirty, ragged, and rough ; ' but they would fight' 

" At sunset, Sept. 6, the Thirty-fifth left camp, and moved to- 
ward Washington. Col. Wild was ambitious. He had elicited 
an order from the adjutant-general for his command to join the 
corps of Burnside at Leesborough, Md., for active duty. Two 

* After an inefficient management of affairs until February, 1863, Dr, Lincoln resigned, much 
to the relief of all parties concerned. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. I9I 

battalion-drills, and a very limited amount of drilling by compa- 
ny, had but ill fitted them for the work of old soldiers. But 
they went ; and they 

' Fought like brave men, long and well.' 

I was ordered to remain behind until the sick could be disposed 
of, and then, with others, to move on and join the regiment. 
Every one knew that business of a serious nature was close at 
hand ; for Lee had outwitted the loyal army south of the Poto- 
mac, and was advancing rapidly towards that river, with the in- 
tention of crossing it. Our armies were concentrating in Mary- 
land. 

" The time passed wearily until we were ordered to move for 
the regiment on Tuesday, Sept. 16. I had been severely sick 
for two days ; and it was somewhat difficult to get limbered up 
for the march. Indeed, after a mile or two of travel, I was com- 
pletely exhausted ; and had it not been for a poor dilapidated 
Rosinante which one Fisher had confiscated for baggage-pur- 
poses, and which he kindly loaned me, I fear that I should have 
fallen by the wayside, and have been food for the fowls of the 
air. As it was, I made a triumphal entry into Washington, 
mounted upon a war-steed whose every step was painful to me, 
and probably not less so to him. 

" The picturesque appearance of a dilapidated soldier on a 
dilapidated horse elicited hearty applause from the small boys ; 
but the soldier, at least, was not abashed. 

" The march through Maryland was delightful. The weather 
was fine, the roads good, and the scenery attractive. Besides, 
we continually received the hospitality of loyal citizens, who 
were lavish of the good things which their fine farms produced. 

" I cannot forbear to mention the landscape-view from the 
summit of one of the Blue-ridge peaks. The ascent had been toil- 



192 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

some in the extreme ; and we were wearily dragging our tired 
bodies up the stony road, when, unexpectedly, we came to a 
point from which was presented a scene of exceeding beauty. 
The sun was just setting behind the blue range of the South- 
mountain ridge ; and between lay a beautiful valley, through 
which meandered the Monocacy, with highly-cultivated farms 
on either side. In the distance lay the city of Frederick, with 
its roofs and spires glistening in the evening sun. The whole 
scene was highly picturesque, and left an impression not soon 
to be effaced. 

"At Monocacy Junction — a point better known as the scene 
of a decisive battle in 1864 between the forces of Gen. L. Wallace 
and Gen. Ewell, in which the former was defeated — our party 
first heard reliable tidings of the battles at South Mountain and 
Antietam, in which our friends had been engaged. Corporal 
Stone of the Thirty-fifth, seriously wounded in the arm, we met 
on his way to Washington. He told us of the hard fighting 
and frightful carnage. Oh, how we tried to get from his imper- 
fect account tidings even the most indefinite of the fate of our 
friends ! No one can know the torture which we all suffered 
from this man's account, as we stood in silence, eagerly catch- 
ing every word that came from his lips as he spoke of the 
casualties, — how Col. Wild had lost an arm ; how Col. Carruth 
was severely wounded in the neck; how Capt. Niles was killed, 
and Capt. King was believed to be mortally wounded ; and how 
not an ofiicer in the whole regiment escaped either wounds or 
death.* 

" We pressed on eagerly. At Frederick all the churches were 
used as hospitals, and were filled. At Middleton and Boonsbor- 
ough we saw nothing but wounded soldiers. At the latter place, 

* The day after the battle at South Mountain, it is true, that, at roll-call, no officer appeared. 
All were either killed, wounded, or absent on leave. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 193 

a party of rebel soldiers expressed themselves as heartily tired 
of the war. At the former, I saw several members of Company 
D, and from them learned positively that all our friends were 
alive. Who can tell the relief at these tidings ? We shortly 
after joined our comrades on the Antietam, and, in mutual con- 
gratulations, felt a joy inexpressible. They hardly seemed like 
the same men who left camp at Arlington Heights : their battle- 
soiled uniforms gave them the appearance of veterans. They 
were proud, and justly proud, of their late deeds ; for they had 
fought manfully, and in that first battle-trial the Thirty-fifth won 
a name which it has never since defamed. 

" On the morning of Oct. 2, our corps was reviewed by Gens. 
McClellan and Burnside, with President Lincoln. It was a gala- 
day ; and the exhibition surpassed any thing I had seen at that 
time.* 

" Our camp at Antietam was uncomfortable. We had no tents ; 
and, in shelters made of rails covered with dirt, life was pictu- 
resque. The change to Pleasant Valley was agreeable, and our 
experience there happy till late in the season, when the cold 

* A letter written at this time thus describes the three principal men attending on that oc- 
casion : — 

"The President rode a coal-black horse. He wore a black suit ; and, as he passed with un- 
covered head, it could be seen that the anxiety and toil of a year the most eventful in our histo- 
ry had left their mark upon ' Honest Abe's' face. He seemed gratified with the spectacle before 
him. 

" In the appearance of McClellan I was disappointed. I expected to find a large, dark-eyed, 
keen-looking man ; but I saw riding just behind the President a young man whose three stars 
denoted a full major-general, with auburn hair, light mustache and imperial, and an eye neither 
flashing nor piercing, that seemed gazing only along the ranks to see if all was in good order. 
He rode a bay horse, and was in full military uniform. 

" Burnside was mounted on a nervous, bob-tailed cob, riding alongside the President, with 
whom he kept up a continual conversation. His easy, rather careless air ; his dark, deep-set 
eye ; and even his dress, — of blouse, and felt hat with brim turned down, — indeed, his whole 
appearance, — showed me a true, earnest military character. 

" I wish you could have seen that sight. Ten thousand men drawn up in line, the brilliant 
array of officers, the inspiring music, the salutes of artillery, — all combined to produce an effect 
long to be remembered." 
25 



194 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

north winds whistled down the slopes of the mountains, much to 
the discomfort of us dwellers in tents. 

" The delay in the valley was inexplicable ; and there were 
many who longed for activity. Rumors were abundant, and 
served to keep the camp in a fever of excitement. So far as 
the writer knows, no adequate excuse for the delay has been in- 
vented to this day, even by the best friends of McClellan.* 

"At length, on the 28th of October, when the wintry storms 
were setting in, we began the march to Fredericksburg. Hard 
marching over, or rather through, a muddy road, and the change- 
able weather, with insufficient clothing, induced an illness, soon 
after starting, that threatened serious consequences : but care 
and good treatment overcame it; and I went 'marching on.' 

" The next day we were overtaken by a snow-storm ; and at 
night it became a fearful hurricane, with sleet, snow, and hail. 
We lay down that night in a miserable plight on the cold 
ground, thinking of feather-beds and coal-fires. 

" At Jefferson we had considerable foraging, some sport, and 
a narrow escape ; the rebels surrounding our camp-ground be- 
fore the fires were burned down. A rapid march before daylight 
to Sulphur Springs saved our brigade. 

" Here we received a brisk shelling from a rebel battery that 
suddenly appeared posted on a knoll within good range. No 
damage was done, however ; and the battery was soon forced to 
retire. 

" On leaving the place, the rebels attempted to surprise and 
capture the wagon-train by a sharp artillery-fire of three hours. 
The Thirty-fifth was ordered to the most important post ; but no 
infantry engagement took place. Benjamin's Battery opened 

" ' This does not look like a vigorous prosecution of the war.' ' I cannot help being impatient 
when I look upon the army covering this valley, and lying idle.' ' I should say to our leader, 
Work faster, young Napoleon, or your laurels will fade in the bud.' " — Army Letter, Oct. i8. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 1 95 

upon the rebels with silencing effect.* After this soj^iie, the 
Thirty-fifth was posted for one night at Lawson's Ford, an out-of- 
the-way, desolate spot on the Rappahannock, with rebel forces 
occupying the opposite side. 

" Supplies were now had in abundance by way of Alexan- 
dria. At this point, orders were received incident to the transfer 
of the command of the Army of the Potomac from McClellan to 
Burnside, the immediate effect of which was a move forward. 

" On Friday, Nov. 21, we arrived before Fredericksburg in the 
midst of a rain-storm ; marching through Falmouth, a dilapidated 
town, to the tune of ' Yankee Doodle.' From the heights north 
of the river, a fine view of the town of Fredericksburg was pre- 
sented ; and it was apparent that no rebel forces were there on 
our arrival. Why the opportunity was not at once seized, and 
a force lodged there strong enough to defeat the ill-prepared 
rebel army, is a mystery. There were no pontoons, to be sure ; 
but the exploits of Gen. Sherman since, while marching through 
Georgia and Carolina, have shown that rivers may be crossed 
without boats. 

" The army went into camp on the hills of Falmouth, built 
redoubts on the bluffs, and awaited the arrival of pontoons and 
orders. Supplies via Aquia Creek were abundant, and rumors, 
also, from every quarter; not the least ridiculous one being, 
that the present inactivity of the army arose from the fact that 
Gen. Burnside had opened negotiations with the rebel general 
(Lee) to quietly close the war. 

" But this inactivity was destined soon to be broken. The 
papers of the North demanded, ' Why } ' and the army that 
daily saw the gathering strength of their enemies across the river, 

* He writes, " We lost four army-wagons. One lieutenant was mortally wounded ; and there 
were some smaller casualties. It was a remarkable escape ; for the rebel firing was rapid and 
good. -The shells flew around in dangerous style." 



196 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

and their batteries and breastworks multiply on the heights be- 
yond, asked with fearful anxiety, ' Why ? ' 

" The battle of Fredericksburg will ever constitute a chapter 
of interest in the history of the war. Perhaps no event has 
been the source of such varied discussion and partisan sympa- 
thy. Obloquy is heaped on Burnside by his opponents ; while 
his friends will ever look upon the disastrous defeat we suffered 
then as the effect of jealousy, and want of sympathy.* 

" The scheme of Gen. Burnside for defeating Lee's army, and 
opening the way to Richmond, was good, — to feign at the most 
difficult point on the right with the divisions of Hooker and 
Sumner; while Franklin's division on the left was to engage the 
enemy there, and turn his right wing. The latter general failed 
to follow up the advantages early gained in the action ; and so 
that which should have been a splendid victory was made a 
' slaughter-pen ' and a severe repulse. 

" To return to our regimental movements. On the 4th of 
December, we were ordered to a post on the extreme left. The 
movement occurred during a furious storm of snow and rain. 
The men were destitute of proper clothing, particularly shoes. 
There was much suffering. It was a sort of Valley-Forge expe- 
rience of our barefooted soldiers. 

" Dec. 1 1 occurred the bombardment of the city. The regi- 
ment was ordered out of camp very early in the morning. 
Through the chilly fog of that early hour came the reverberat- 
ing thunder of a signal-gun on the left, answered at once by 
one on the extreme right ; then all at once, as if touched by 
magic power, came the thunder of those hundreds of cannon. 

* " President Lincoln was the only true friend of Burnside among the officials at Washington; 
and though the general's plan was approved by his three lieutenants, yet, their good will towards 
their commander being absent, an undoubted effect was thereby produced unfavorable to its 
success. 

" The manly uprightness and honest loyalty of Gen. Burnside is clearly seen in his despatch 
sent to Washington immediately after the battle." — Letter. ^ 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 1 97 

" All clay, in rear of these batteries, stood the massed columns 
of our army, anxiously awaiting the word ' Forward ! ' 

" The stubborn resistance of the rebel sharpshooters on the 
opposite banks jDrevented the laying of the pontoon-boats, which 
our artillery-fire was intended to cover. Darkness, however, 
aided what bravery failed to accomplish ; and, before the follow- 
ing morning, three bridges had been laid, and a large portion of 
our army had crossed the river. Gen. Ferrero's brigade entered 
the city about nine, a.m. While our division of the troops was 
descending the hill near the Lacey House, they were greeted 
by rebel compliments in the shape of a dozen or more shells, 
several of which struck and exploded in the column, changing 
its course perceptibly. 

" The town was looking badly after its severe pounding of the 
day previous. Ventilating apertures were numerous in the edi- 
fices, both public and private. The legitimate owners of the 
latter had fled ; and they were occupied by the invading Yankees, 
who took unceremonious possession, and appropriated to their 
own benefit such articles as suited their fancy or their necessi- 
ties. Altogether, there was much confusion ; and, had the rebel 
batteries chosen to have bombarded the city at that time, there 
is little doubt of the disastrous result, — a panic, a rush for the 
bridges, a defeat of plans without a battle, and a serious loss of 
life. 

" On the afternoon of the 12th, I left the regiment by order of 
Surgeon Lincoln,* and gloomily returned to camp ; for I longed 
to share with the boys the perils that they must face on the 
morrow. 

* "I must here say without reserve, that, to my picture of Dr. Lincoln's character given you 
a while since, I must now add one more quality, — dcnonright cmuardice. He has to-day and 
yesterday remained in camp here, three miles from his place of duty ; and has kept all of us, his 
subordinates, here too. I stole away yesterday to a hospital near here to aid in caring for the 
wounded ; but the doctor, finding me absent, remanded me back, with orders not to leave again 
without his permission." — Army Letter, Dec. 14. 



1 98 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" The morning of Dec. 1 3 dawned gloomily. A dark gray 
mist hung over the city and the surrounding camps. Every 
thing was dull and damp. A significant stillness prevailed. 
The artillerymen stood by their guns, awaiting the preconcerted 
signal. At ten o'clock the sun's rays began to drive off the 
mist, and to unveil the fields between the enemy's works and 
the city, where was to be the scene of the deadly struggle. 
The order from our pusillanimous surgeon compelled me to 
remain in camp ; but thereby I was enabled to have a view of the 
great fight, that otherwise could not have been my privilege. From 
the summit of a hill commanding the whole scene, crowned by a 
heavy battery, I watched the progress of events. The successive 
advances upon the right and left, line following line as its prede- 
cessor wavered, broke, and melted before the withering, deadly 
fire from breastwork and redoubt along the whole front ; the 
cheers, the flying colors, the bursting shells, the rattling musket- 
ry, the rebel yells of defiance, — gave most thrilling and painful 
emotions to the beholder. Eleven, twelve, one o'clock ; and the 
battle still rages. Charge follows charge, until it seems there is 
no more strength to expend in the unequal contest. 

" On the left, the first advances were successful. The clouds 
of smoke from the two lines are seen gradually to approach until 
they commingle as one. The rebel line is yielding! Glowing 
expectations of a glorious victory begin to be realized. The 
thunder of cannon abates not a minute. But alas ! at three 
o'clock, the columns of Franklin's division, instead of following 
up their advantage, are seen to commence a retreat. The day is 
lost ! But the contest still rages on the right, until darkness gives 
grateful relief to the tired, exhausted legion, and the day of sad 
defeat closes gloomily as it dawned. 

" Sunday was quiet. Anticipations of a renewed fight were 
disappointed. Our troops on the right held the ground fought 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 1 99 

over on Saturday; while on the left their positions were aban- 
doned, and the pontoon was recrossed. It was a sad day for the 
soldiers; and the dispirited feeling throughout the whole army 
was augmented by a cold, bleak rain during the latter part of 
the day. 

" During the night (Sunday), all the troops were withdrawn 
and the bridges removed. The Thirty-fifth came into camp 
about two o'clock on Monday morning, having lost seven men 
killed and forty-six wounded. 

" During Monday, truce was agreed upon; and parties of our 
men were detailed to bury the dead. They reported much in- 
human conduct among the rebels. The bodies of our men had 
been stripped, and every thing of value appropriated. 

" The events that immediately followed this defeat were unim- 
portant. All attempts to reach Richmond were abandoned for 
a time. Gen. Burnside had been relieved ; and Gen. Hooker's 
regime commenced. The frequent wintry rain-storms had ren- 
dered any great movement of the army impossible. ' Stuck in 
the mud ' was the current phrase among the soldiers, and was 
re-echoed over the country. The demoralized feeling was great, 
almost alarmingly great in some quarters.* 

"Christmas of 1862 will be remembered with interest as the 
occasion of a visit from my father. He came laden with good 
things and good wishes ; and his stay of a fortnight in the army 
was a source of much gratification to the Wayland soldiers and 
others of his acquaintance. The supply of clothing which he 
brought was indeed, to many of us, a perfect godsend. 

" Under Gen. Hooker, a thorough re-organization of the army 

* " Thanks, my clear , for sending me such letters to strengthen my patriotism, and raise 

my spirits. I have read them to some of my comrades with good effect. In my opinion, there 
is no more fruitful source of discouragement and depression in the army than the reception of 
disheartening letters from home." — Army Letter. 



200 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

took place. The commissary-department gave better supplies ; 
and the troops began to show evident signs of recuperation, both 
in outward appearance and in the prevailing spirit. 

" During the winter, my own duties in the medical depart- 
ment were not arduous. The monotony of camp was relieved 
a little by a three-days' visit to Washington, when a tolerably 
satisfactory though tiresome examination was made of places and 
things in this ' city of magnificent distances.' 

" The relief of even a few days from the muddy confines of 
camp, the privilege of hearing one's heels click musically on a 
brick pavement, of eating something besides the hard-tack of 
the soldier's larder, of sleeping on a bed, and of seeing the 
polished gentility of a city, were all duly appreciated. 

" On the morning of Feb. 9, at four o'clock, the bugle sound- 
ed the reveille in our brigade ; and the next hour was busily 
spent in packing up all the paraphernalia of war preparatory to 
moving. Rumor had been busy for several days. The inevita- 
ble three-days' rations had been cooked and issued ; and, in the 
early dawn of that February morning, we of the Ninth Army 
Corps bade adieu to the Army of the Potomac, and went away 
like a maiden aunt, to return again, after a year, with great stories 
of wonderful adventures.* 

" Gen. Burnside was too good an officer to remain long inac- 
tive : so the President had assigned to him the command of the 
Department of the Ohio, relieving Gen. Wright. 

" The appointment was accepted on condition that he might 
take his old troops with him. So we went to Newport News t 
to re-organize and recruit. 

* " Farewell, Army of tlie Potomac ! When you have a leader who can gain the confidence, 
united feeling, and action of his subordinates, then I can promise some success to your unfortu- 
nate arms. Till then, I shall not pretend to remember my connection with you with any thing 
like pride." — Army Letlcr, Feb. 12, 1863. 

t This place was formerly a famous watering-place for the F. F. V.'s. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 20I 

" The voyage down the Potomac and Chesapeake was pleasant 
in the extreme. Every soldier felt glad at leaving, for a short 
time even, the muddy dreariness experienced in their winter- 
quarters. 

" All soldiers of the Ninth Army Corps will remember the 
camp at Newport News with gratification. A dry soil, on a level 
and beautiful field, in a salubrious climate, with abundant rations 
of excellent quality, and reasonable opportunities for bathing 
and sailing, characterized our encampment here. 

" Not to be forgotten, also, is the beautiful outlook over the 
Hampton Roads, where the still visible wrecks of the ' Congress ' 
and ' Cumberland ' reminded us of the heroism there displayed 
in the spring of 1862. The daily market under the two big 
pines should be recorded, where those who had the greenbacks 
could procure oysters and milk, apples and pies, with other 
et ccsteras., which, with boxes of good things sent from home, made 
this camp the soldier's paradise.* 

" On the 26th of March, all things were in readiness ; and we 
left Newport News on the steamer ' John Brooks,' en route for 
Baltimore ; which city was reached without incident or accident. 
There cars awaited us for a trip to the West.t 

" In our ride through Pennsylvania, the discomfort attending 

* "Yesterday I went to Fortress Monroe, and had a pleasant stroll over Old Point Comfort. 
, . . Among the objects of interest were the big guns ' Lincoln ' and ' Union.' They are in 
temporary earthworks outside the fort until a place can be provided for them on the barbette. 
They are tremendous 'dogs of war.' I saw some of the solid shot that are fired in them : they 
are as large round as the top of a water-pail. 

*' The walls of the fort are solid granite masonry, with two tiers of guns. A ditch surrounds 
the fort, forty feet wide, having also a solid granite border." — Army Letter, Feb. 22, 1863. 

t On entering active campaigning again, he writes, " We hope to conquer a peace of which 
we shall never be ashamed, — a peace founded in justice and universal liberty. I have no de- 
sire to abandon the cause until such a peace is consummated. The ties that bind me to home 
and kindred are as strong now as ever ; yes, stronger : yet I believe I utter the sentiment of my 
inmost soul, when I say, that, the circumstances of our country being as they now are, I would 
not accept a discharge from the army on any account." 



202 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

a standing or lying position in ' box-cars,' on plank seats, was in- 
creased by a cold snow-storm. The beautiful scenery along the 
route was hardly appreciated properly. Yet pleasant impres- 
sions were received of thrifty farms, or beautiful river-scenery, 
as we were whirled along the Valley of the Juniata, and of pic- 
turesque, oftentimes majestic and awe-inspiring, views among the 
mountains. Hot coffee was served to us by the citizens of many 
towns on the route. At Pittsburg, our reception was remarkably 
generous. That city was reached early on Sunday morning, after 
a night of cold and comfortless travel. A breakfast in City Hall 
of every thing to satisfy and cheer, at which beautiful and refined 
young ladies performed waiting-duty, left a most favorable im- 
pression of the hospitality of this city of iron-foundries. 

" But at Cincinnati, which was reached thirty-six hours later, 
we found friends of the soldiers indeed. The name of that city 
will awaken pleasing memories in the mind of every member 
of our corps. It was midnight when we arrived ; yet, at that 
unseasonable hour, a sumptuous supper was prepared for us. 
And so it was with the arrival of every train, at whatever hour, — 
this patriotic city gave such a welcome to the defenders of their 
country.* 

" After our midnight repast, we crossed the Ohio River to the 
dilapidated town of Covington, where nearly two days were 
spent awaiting means for transportation. The second night, I 
was fortunate enough to secure the brick floor of the market- 
house for my couch, and awoke next morning rather stiff in the 
joints. 

" Much beautiful scenery opened to view along the Big Lick- 
ing River, on our way to Paris, Ky. ; but the contrast in culti- 

* " After supper, I strolled a little way up one of the streets. Attracted by a crowd of 
' boys in blue,' I found a lady, at that late hour of the night, dispensing freely from her basket 
of good things to the eager and thankful recipients. That lady tms patriotic.'''' — Army Letter. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 203 

vation was very marked between the north and south side of the 
Ohio. 

" After our thousand-miles' ride, our motive-powers were in 
good order to carry us over the fine roads of Kentucky ; and 
the march of April 3, of twenty-one miles, from Paris to Mt. 
Sterling, between ten, a.m., and seven, p.m., was a good test. 

" The arrival of Major King with new regimental colors, a 
visit from the paymaster, and the initiation of C. H. Campbell to 
the band of Hospital Brothers, are incidents to be remembered 
in connection with Mt. Sterling. 

" Early on the morning of April 1 7, we left the place for Win- 
chester, — nineteen miles distant. Here Drs. Clark and Munsell 
were discharged, and left for home ; and Surgeon Snow, ever 
to be remembered with respect, took the place of Surgeon 
Lincoln. 

" Our march from this place to Lancaster (in which sunny 
days and rainy days were intimately blended) was begun May 4, 
and ended three days later. Camping at Lancaster was un- 
eventful. 

" May 23 we moved to Crab Orchard, and thence to Stanford. 
A letter dated at this place states that ' we have never been 
more pleasantly situated since we visited Kentucky.' * 

" June 3, our camp was thoroughly aroused by unexpected 

* About the slaves of Kentucky he writes, " I confess I was hardly prepared to find so much 
intelligence as was exhibited among the slaves. I saw many who would be taken for pure 
whites, having regular Caucasian features and blue eyes. I asked one man why he did not 
learn to read and write. ' Why, massa ! ' said he, ' don't you know dat would be a stick to break 
our poo' heads wid t ' 

" The history of one man I ascertained to be as follows : His father was a white planter, 
his mother an octoroon slave. On the death of his father, he was sold at auction. But he bor- 
rowed money enough to pay for himself; and, by industry and strict economy (he was a cobbler), 
he had earned enough to cancel the debt (a thousand dollars), and was now supporting a family 
of his own. 

"The slaves universally desire their freedom, though many have somewhat extravagant ideas 
of such a condition." 



204 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

orders to 'pack up with reduced baggage.' Whispers of a long 
journey by land and water excited every one to lively anticipa- 
tions. A twenty-hours' forced march brought us to Nicholas- 
ville, where cars were taken for Cincinnati. The characteristic 
hospitality of its citizens was again exemplified ; and we started 
in the afternoon of June 5 on the cars for Cairo. The trip across 
the prairies of Indiana and Illinois was monotonous and tire- 
some, relieved only by the patriotic demonstrations of the 
Hoosiers. At Vincennes, Ind., and Centralia, 111., we were 
provided with substantial refreshments by the citizens. 

" While delayed nearly two days in the dirty city of Cairo, an 
incident occurred that impressed me, for a time, more than any 
other durinof the war. It was the si2:ht of a hundred and 
fifty half-starved, ill-clad refugees from the South, who were 
on their way to Central Illinois. Never before had I been so 
fully sensible of the terrible evils and suffering which this cruel 
war produced ; and never did I so fully resolve to aid in the 
complete overthrow of the power of the Rebellion. 

" ' It is the terrestrial Styx, the Acheron of America,' wrote an 
author concerning ' the Father of Waters.' While it is hardly 
fair to attribute such characteristics to the great Mississippi, it 
will be safe, perhaps, to assert, that most travellers who sail along 
its winding course for the first time are disappointed ; and first 
impressions of its beauty and majesty are usually unfavorable. 

" To the soldier who for the first time in his life explored this 
mighty stream from Cairo to Vicksburg, the impression received 
was decidedly at variance with his early ideas of its scenery. 
The monotony was painful even ; and he never felt so tired, or 
so glad to reach a journey's end, as when he landed at Young's 
Point. The great stream, ' majestic only in its greatness ' as the 
Sphinx is majestic, rolled its yellow, murky tide toward the sea, 
meandering unmercifully. On either bank, the everlasting same- 



FRANK VVINTHROP DRAPER. 205 

ness of Cottonwood and cypress was varied only by an occasional 
log-hut, until within a few miles of Vicksburg, when extensive 
plantations showed some signs of civilization. The places 
marked on the map as towns and county-seats had their coun- 
terparts on land in insignificant hamlets hardly worthy the name 
of villages. New Madrid was a place of half a score of unpaint- 
ed houses, grouped about a queer-looking edifice with a small 
cupola, which was said to be the court-house. 

" Helena in Arkansas was found to consist of a single street 
along the river, with two or three dozen dwellings. But the 
voyage was not devoid of interest. Our first night was spent 
on a sand-bar, — one of those institutions with snags and sawyers 
which make Western river-navigation exquisitely romantic some- 
times. We were pulled off from our moorings the next morn- 
ing by a passing steamer. 

"The Chickasaw Bluffs, above Island No. 10, were the only 
deviations along the shore worthy of notice. They rose sud- 
denly from the level sameness ; and their crests constitute admi- 
rable sites for defensive works, — an advantage the rebels well 
understood when Fort Pillow was built. 

" At Memphis, many enjoyed the privilege of going ashore 
and exploring the town. My visit left vivid recollections of an 
extensive levee, of large and well-built blocks, a magnificent park 
with magnolias in full bloom, of dirty streets, and exorbitant 
prices. 

" Here all the transports met in rendezvous; and, on the 12th 
of June, the ten steamers and two gunboats proceeded down 
the river. 

" Early on the morning of June 14, we landed at Young's 
Point, in full view of the victim city. The deep-toned sound of 
the heavy mortars, and the sharper report of the large rifled ord- 
nance, came to our ears with peculiar emphasis. At night, we 



206 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

looked upon the novel sights of the bombardment with an inter- 
est which inexperience in such sights created. The report of 
the piece, preceded by the flash, the regular curve of the fiery 
track of the bomb through the air, and its final loud and bright 
explosion over the city, were watched intently. 

" Anon the ' Whistling Jack ' (as the rebels called their largest 
and best-mounted gun) would send back its iron compliments.* 

" The next day they marched us four miles, — across the point 
opposite Vicksburg ; our route being along the great canal in- 
tended to turn the course of the river, but now a dry and useless 
ditch. The huge old trees on either side were festooned with 
hanging moss, and, with a luxuriant undergrowth, confirmed our 
notions of tropical verdure and scenery. 

" Our corps was to cross the river here, and re-enforce Gen. 
Grant's left wing ; but, before we had all embarked, the order 
was countermanded, and we returned to our first landing. 

"On the 1 6th of June, we re-embarked on the steamer 
' Omaha,' packed and crowded like live-stock for the market, not 
knowing but that our destiny was homeward, until our boat 
turned her prow into the waters of the Yazoo. At night, after 
a picturesque ride up ' the river of death,' varied by a drenching 
thunder-storm in the afternoon, we landed at Haynes's Bluff. 
With my friend Campbell, the works of the bluff were inspected. 
We were forcibly impressed by the natural strength of the posi- 
tion. The huge Columbiads lay in the redoubts, spiked, as the 

* " We have had one of the most extensive trips, if not the pleasantest, I ever experienced. 
That I should sail down this great river, set foot in every one of the States between which it 
courses, — Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, — and, 
above all, that I should be present at the siege of the rebel Gibraltar, was, I assure you, very 
far from any thought of mine when I left my quiet home to be a soldier. 

" Do not give way to anxious regrets that I am entering a campaign in the hot climate of the 
South. You know my purposes and feelings when I first gave myself to my country ; and where 
it is best to call me, there I am prepared to go. We are all and always under the care of a 
benignant Providence, — a truth, the beauty of which I see more clearly each day." — Army Letter. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 207 

rebels had left them ; and it is wonderful that Gen. Sherman 
was able to compel a surrender. 

" Next morning, we marched to Milldale. Plums, blackberries, 
and mulberries were abundant ; and we lived as comfortably as 
the hot weather, and its concomitants of flies, gnats, and mosqui- 
toes, would permit. 

" Gen. Grant came to camp one day, giving us a view of the 
greatest chieftain of the age. The booming sounds from Vicks- 
burg were continuous night and day. Our men were employed 
in building earthworks some miles in extent, as defences against 
an advance of the rebel Johnston's army, which was indefinitely 
postponed by the surrender of the besieged city. 

"Orders to march were received June 29. It was unspeaka- 
bly hot. The uninitiated cannot appreciate the fervor of that 
sun in Mississippi as it shone unmercifully on the dry, sandy 
road. The very memory makes me feverish. 

"The Fourth of July, 1863, was a peculiar one in that wilder- 
ness, and, I venture to say, was celebrated with more enthusiasm 
in that camp at Oak Ridge than in any other spot where Yan- 
kees obeyed the prophetic dictates of John Adams. 

" The exercises commenced in the morning by the arrival 
from the North of a delegation in the shape of five bushels of 
letters, containing the first news from home since we left Ken- 
tucky. Duly appreciated. 

" Before the reading was fairly over came news of the surren- 
der of Vicksburg, with its garrison and armament of two hun- 
dred and eighty-two guns and thirty-one thousand soldiers. The 
cheerful demonstration of the Ninth Army Corps gave proof 
that this part of the day's exercises was also, satisfactory. Two 
hours later, the order to prepare to march with three days' rations 
was received with less joyful acclamations. 

" We were now under command of a man whose genius did 



2o8 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

not allow him to spend time in useless exultation over the great 
conquests he had won. The work was not all done. Gen. Joe 
Johnston's army was still in the field, unconquered ; and when 
at five o'clock, that Fourth-of-July afternoon, we entered on the 
dusty road toward Jackson, we saw the work before us. 

" Our forces were concentrated. The Ninth and Sixteenth 
Corps formed the left wing under Gen. Parke ; and two other 
corps, under Gen. Sherman, constituted the right. We soon 
learned that the rebel general was not disposed to face us ; and 
we followed his retreat. 

" On reaching the Big Black River, a delay of nearly two days 
occurred, — until a bridge could be built for the passage of the 
troops. 

" On the afternoon of the 7th (the hottest day on my record), 
we moved on. Many of the men fell insensible under the 
heat. 

" The counterpart of that heat was felt in the evening, in a 
cold, drenching thunder-tempest. With garments completely 
water-soaked, the night was most uncomfortably spent in chills. 

" In the evening following, we saw the burning dwelling of the 
arch-traitor, Jeff. Davis. It seemed too bad to burn the presi- 
dent's homestead, to tear up his carpets for blankets, to steal 
his books and old letters, and announce to his negroes that they 
were free by the act of the only true President of the country. 
Yet some of our Yankee vandals did all this, and found numer- 
ous and hearty sympathizers. 

" When that march to Jackson is brought to memory, there 
is nothins: amidst all its discomforts that is recalled with such 
painful distinctness as our want of good water. The brooks 
and runs had become dry ; the ponds were stagnant and slimy ; 
the wells and cisterns were few, often empty, and sometimes ren- 
dered unfit for use by the rebels, who did not hesitate to make 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 209 

them distasteful or poisonous. Both men and animals suffered 
beyond description ; and many of the latter died. 

" We arrived in sight of the capital of the State on the loth ; 
and, before night, the lines for investing the place were estab- 
lished. 

" The fighting before Jackson partook of the nature of a siege 
in miniature, with frequent sorties. This state of things contin- 
ued until the morning of the 17th; when it was discovered that 
Johnston had eluded our grasp by a sudden retreat. 

"July 1 8th was a happy day. In addition to the military suc- 
cesses in our vicinity, we had news of the Union victory at Get- 
tysburg, and rumors, also, of other important movements favora- 
ble to the Union cause. 

" The headquarters of the medical department, to which I had 
the honor to be attached, were in the house of one Jim Sessions, 
who was undoubtedly a man of parts, judging by the appoint- 
ments of his mansion. It was occupied as a hospital for the 
whole left wing of the army ; and the numerous casualties at 
the front kept the surgeons continually active. As ward-master 
of the Ninth Corps, I had the opportunity of witnessing very 
many interesting surgical operations. 

" On the morning of the 20th of July, we turned our faces 
toward Milldale. That morning, I was off duty from a severe 
attack of dysentery and fever. I was placed in an ambulance 
for conveyance.* A jolting ride of fifty miles under a scorch- 
ing sun was so far unfavorable to the abatement of the dis- 
ease, that, on arriving at Milldale, I was decidedly sick. 



* " I was taken to an ambulance with three men lying at full-length. They were ordered to 
' curl up their legs,' so that I could get in crosswise at their feet. I was too weak and sick to 
sit up, and could not lie down. To ride thus fifty miles in torture was not agreeable. I bore 
it as best I could." — Army Letter. 



2IO FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" On the 2d of August I was put on board the steamer 
' Tycoon,' with a full cargo of sick and wounded, for a homeward 
voyage* 

"*Oh the horrors of that passage up the Mississippi ! To be 
sick at home on an easy bed, surrounded by comforts, and at- 
tended by kind friends, is often sufficiently uncomfortable : but, 
on board a heaving steamboat, to lie in a berth without mattress 
or bedding ; to be roasted and steamed near the boiler and under 
the thin deck, heated also by the summer sun ; to breathe the 
air made fetid by hundreds of breaths and decomposing wounds ; 
to feel that the doctor attending was heedless of one's sufferings, 
and cared little whether his patients lived or died ; to be ill sup- 
plied with medicine and food, — all this rendered sickness on ' The 
Tycoon' a trying experience. But I lived through that 'middle 
passage.' I believe the tide of life ran very low sometimes dur- 
ing that terrible season ; and had it not been for the care of 
Hospital-Steward Jones, of the Eleventh New-Hampshire Volun- 
teers, there is good reason to believe I should have accompanied 
too many of my comrades to the unseen world. 

" The arrival of the boat at the levee at Cincinnati brought a 
spontaneous though feeble utterance of thanksgiving to my pallid 
lips ; and when, a few hours later, they lifted and laid me on a 
tidy bed in the neat hospital in Covington, the sense of relief 
and gratitude could not be expressed in poor words. Tears 
were not unmanly. I should like to write page after page of 
story in eulogy of the kindness and sympathy experienced here. 
No reasonable want was left unsatisfied. Medical treatment 

* " I was put into the topmost bunk of a state-room. The first two days, I had no attention 
paid me. The surgeon, when he came, gave me whiskey and quinine for my bloody dysentery. 
I did not long take his doses, but obtained from Steward Jones some brandy and morphine in- 
stead. I asked the surgeon, one day, what I had better eat. * Eat what you can get,' was his 
ungracious reply. There was gross mismanagement all the trip. The surgeon of our ward was 
very negligent, and careless of his patients' interests." — Army Letter. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 211 

and proper diet soon began to produce the desired effect ; * and, 
with the help of sympathetic care from the attendants, the dark- 
ness of the night began to yield to hopeful tokens of a coming 
day. 

" The regiment arrived two days after I reached Cincinnati. 
I remember the visits of Campbell and Haze, and the deeds of 
kindness rendered by them. 

" They soon left for the interior of Kentucky ; and I did not 
see them again until the following April. On its arrival at Cov- 
ington, the regiment numbered ninety-nine muskets for duty. 

" I wish I could properly tell the story of a season which I 
regard as one of the most pleasant in my history ; but a more 
skilful pen than mine is required. 

" One day, as I was listlessly lying on my bed, there came to 
my side a man whose whole demeanor bespoke the philanthro- 
pist. In the kindly smile of his face could be read at once the 
spirit that fulfilled in deeds the divine behest. This gentleman 
was Thomas G. Odiorne, a wealthy citizen of Cincinnati, who 
devoted himself to deeds of charity in the hospitals. 

" I don't know why he took such an interest in me. Perhaps 
he saw on the card at the head of my cot that I was from his 
native State ; or it may be that my extreme prostration elicited 

* A letter subsequently written gives 2.Y'\f<N oi hospital-treaitiieiit : "As soon as a patient 
enters, he is assigned to a bed, supplied with straw-mattress, sheets, blankets, and a neat little 
coverlet. When sufficiently rested, and if he is able, he is taken to the bath-room, stripped, and 
subjected to a thorough and delicious bath, — cold or hot, as he chooses. Then clean clothes are 
put on him ; and he returns to his bed, often feeling like a new man. His personal effects are 
taken account of, properly marked, and stowed away ; and he receives a check for them. His 
food is in every way suited to his needs. Convalescents have every thing they can wish in the 
way of nourishment. Every day, ladies as well as gentlemen call upon the patients with offers 
of assistance, with kind words and pleasant reading ; performing often the work of an amanuen- 
sis, when the sick or wounded soldiers are unable to write for themselves. A good chaplain 
calls daily with reading-matter, and words of religious comfort. 

" The medical and surgical treatment is of the best ; and none but kind and attentive nurses 
are allowed." 



212 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

unusual sympathy. At any rate, his interest in me seemed to 
increase daily. He supplied comforts not to be obtained else- 
where; and, as I gained sufficient strength, he brought me books 
and papers to read, always accompanying his gifts with words of 
good cheer. 

" And when I was so far restored as to be able to walk a little, 
and nursing had taken the place of medicine, he took me to his 
home, — made it to seem as Tity home. Mrs. Odiorne was as a 
mother to me. All that wealth and genuine sympathy could do 
to hasten my convalescence was freely done. 

" Nor did the good-will of my benefactor end here. He saw 
my inability to enter field-service ; and, through his influence, I 
was appointed clerk in the office of the Army Medical Board in 
Cincinnati, under Surgeon J. T. Carpenter; and, furthermore, 
he procured for me a leave of absence for thirty days. 

" That period was improved in visiting my native home, where 
the re-union of dear ones, with the interest and good wishes of 
all, served to make the occasion memorable. 

" While at home, I learned that Lieut.-Col. King was at Lex- 
ington, Ky., and that several of the Thirty-fifth boys were at his 
post on detached duty. Application was made to him, success- 
jfuUy, to be allowed to report for duty there. 

"On the 23d of October, I left home for Cincinnati; orders 
from Col. King not having then been received. With light du- 
ties at the office, and agreeable soldier's fare at the Marine Gen- 
eral Hospital, my strength was gradually restored. 

" Orders to report at Lexington were received on the 6th of 
November ; and, three days after, I bade good-by to all my Cin- 
cinnati friends. 

" That winter-campaign of mine in Kentucky is pleasant to 
look back upon. Congenial companions, agreeable duties, en- 
joyable surroundings, and happy incidents, make the sum total 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 213 

of my army-life in Lexington, and constitute a page of unbroken 
felicities. 

** It should not be forgotten that our annual Thanksgiving Day 
was made especially memorable by a sumptuous dinner for all 
the soldiers at the post, provided by the loyal citizens of the 
place. 

" For thirty days in January and February, during the absence 
of Lieut. Brownell, the title and duties of Acting Assistant Ad- 
jutant-General were conferred on the writer.* 

" Some time in the winter, the humble servant in the clerk's 
department was seized with a mania for promotion. He felt 
possessed of abilities for usefulness as an officer, fully equal, to 
say the least, to many on whose shoulders glittered the insignia 
of office. 

" Supported by a solitary but flattering recommendation from 
Col. King, application was made to the Secretary of War for a 
lieutenancy in a colored regiment. 

" My examination at Cincinnati on the 4th of March, before 
the board of which Col. Van Rensselaer was president, was duly 
completed ; and hopefully, but entirely reticent concerning it, I 
returned to clerical duties under Col. King. 

" In March, I was despatched with a company of convalescent 
soldiers to Louisville, with permission to remain there one day. 
Having disposed of my responsibilities,! I became a gentleman 

* " Military Etiquette. — Lieut. Brownell is a true gentleman in every sense ; and it has 
been my fortune to secure his esteem and confidence. . . . He has several times of late invited 
me to accompany him in horseback-riding after the duties of the day were over. From an ap- 
preciation of his society, and the enjoyment of riding through the environs of the city, I have 
always accepted his invitations. Such improprieties, however, were cut short by a message from 
our ' King'-ly post-commandant to the lieutenant, expressing a wish that Lieut. Brownell should 
not hereafter ride in public ivith Private Draper. Private Draper still survives ! Had he been 
as sensitive as some excellent persons, he would have felt badly ; but, being the patriotic scoun- 
drel that he is, the circumstance failed to destroy his appetite even." — Army Letter. 

t " Soldier's Home. — Arriving at Louisville, I marched my command to the Soldier's 



214 FRANK IVINTHROP DRAPER. 

of leisure ; and, after inspecting the principal novelties of this 
beautiful city, a public reading-room was entered for a little re- 
pose. An article on the stalactites of American caves arrested 
my attention ; and, while I was engaged in its perusal, the an- 
nouncement was made in sonorous tones, ' Cars for Nashville.' 
Now, Cave City was on that route, and Mammoth Cave nine 
miles from that city. A sudden resolve was taken: I entered 
the cars, and reached Cave City in safety, wondering, on my ar- 
rival, if four houses, two barns, and a hotel, could claim the rights 
of a municipality. 

" Early next morning, I visited the provost-marshal's office to 
procure a horse. He hadn't any ; and, in all that city, there 
was not a horse to be found. Pondering what next to do, my 
problem was solved by an inquiry from the provost-marshal for 
my " pass ; " and, not having that requisite paper, he concluded 
(and very properly, under the circumstances) that the visit to 
Mammoth Cave was an overture whereby the great Union army 
and myself were to dissolve our relationship. 

" So he could do no less than hold me in forcible arrest until 
my actual status could be satisfactorily ascertained. 

" For four long hours, I soliloquized on a stump at a picket- 
post, while a gaunt Kentucky rifleman kept me in durance 
vile.* The time was rapidly approaching when the down train 

Home, — a peculiarly American institution. The Home in this city comprises two substantial 
buildings of two stories high, connected by a covered porch. They are each about a hundred and 
twenty-five feet long. The soldier, tired from long travelling, or sick, enters the office, gives his 
name and business, and leaves his baggage. He is then free to rest himself in the reception- 
room, where reading, writing, or conversation may be selected, as he chooses, until the dinner - 
hour is announced. He enters a large hall capable of seating three hundred, where food sub- 
stantial and abundant awaits his disposal. He is again at liberty until bedtime, when a gentle- 
manly usher conducts him to well-furnished beds in the dormitory. One room is specially de- 
voted to the sick. Who shall say that the soldiers of our Union Army are not well provided 
for ? " — Letter. 

* "A Prisoner. — Cave City, March 14, 1864, eight, a.m. — Suck are the fortunes of 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 215 

was due. I must not miss that, else there would be a "muss" at 
Lexington. Just five minutes before the whistle was heard, a 
despatch came by telegraph, as follows : — 

" ' Draper is all right. Please gi^e him such facilities to visit the cave as are 
in your 2^07ver, and oblige ' Wm. S. King.' 

" The tune now changed. I thanked all hands for their hos- 
pitality, and entered the cars a wiser man than when I left them 
the day before. 

" I pass by my reception at Lexington, and the numerous 
questions pressed upon a certain soldier for descriptions of the 
great Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. 

" Lexington was finally left on the 29th of March (a cold, 
gloomy day, that seemed to sympathize with our feelings at de- 
parting from a post of such pleasant recollections) ; and our cote- 
rie of soldiers and officers proceeded to Covington. 

" The trip to Annapolis over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 
was tedious, but pleasant. Our company was select ; and there 
was enough of romance to keep us lively. 

" The mountain-ranges of Pennsylvania were inspiring by their 
grandeur, and suggested themes for deep thought as we rattled 
through their rough passes. 

" Arriving at Annapolis, our party was handed over to the pro- 
vost-marshal, and went into camp. The city is a lifeless place ; 
the only attractive feature being the grounds of the Naval School. 

war ! I wish you could all see me just now. Whether you would laugh or cry is an open ques- 
tion. I am indifferent, with a preponderance in favor of the former. 

" The moral of this romance is, that I travelled two hundred and ninety-six miles, saw much 
of Kentucky, but didn't see Mammoth Cave. I now declare my belief that said cave is a great 
sell (cell). . . . There is no particular necessity for satire from your quarter ; for I reckon I have 
received my full rations of that article here. Had you wished to buy me as I approached this 
office last Tuesday, you might have done so cheap. Col. King met me at the door, and kindly 
inquired how I liked the looks of Mammoth Cave. 'Distance lends enchantment to the 
view,' said I. It needs only the slightest allusion to that scrape to excite a smile." — Letter, 



2l6 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" A few days after our arrival came the Thirty-fifth, under 
command of that noble soldier, whom all his regiment love. Col. 
Carruth. The boys looked rough ; and when I shook hands 
again with Haze and Campbell, Morse and Spofiford, and all the 
others, I felt a pride in being a member of a splendid regiment, 
mingled with regret at the worthlessness of the membership. 

" The scheme which had been initiated in Lexington had 
been gradually working itself out, although the delay seemed 
long. I was still hoping, and so was not altogether surprised 
when informed that a commission awaited my call at headquar- 
ters. On perusing the document, I found myself raised from a pri- 
vate to the duties and responsibilities of a company commander. 

" With my appointment as captain in the Thirty-ninth Regi- 
ment of United-States colored troops in my pocket, I bade 
good-by to my comrades of the Thirty-fifth, and set forth to 
commence the third and last chapter of my military history.* 

"On the 14th of April, I was assigned by Major McNeil to 
the command of Company E, and was introduced to Lieuts. 
Davis and Eaton. 

"It was very gratifying to learn that we were to campaign 
with the good old Ninth Army Corps, and under the noble Burn- 



* As Capt. Draper is now fairly identified with what was considered by many at its outset 
a needless step, a semi-confession of the weakness of our cause, — viz., the emancipation of slaves, 
and arming the blacks as soldiers on the same footing with whites, — it is pertinent to show his 
state of mind by extracts from a letter witten some months previous : — 

" I hail the edict [emancipation] and the raising of negro regiments as the ez'ents of the age. 
It is a good omen. If you and your co-thinkers saw the wisdom and necessity of this earlier 
than I and others, I have only to envy you as living up to the times, while we were behind. . . . 
That it was a fit time at the opening of this difficulty to abolish slavery, either as a measure of 
war or of humanity, I did not see. I am now willing to confess my error, and acknowledge 
my false judgment." — Letter from camp at Newport News, Feb. 15, 1863. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 217 

side. On leaving Camp Birney,* the regiment received such 
congratulations from public men as would have subjected the 
speakers, three years before, to summary chastisement at the 
hands of an indignant populace. 

" The company commanders were detained in Baltimore a few 
days to arrange the transfer of a certain number of men to the 
navy from their companies. 

"A visit from my father on the 19th, freighted with an abun- 
dance of good things and good wishes, was a season of pleasure 
to me, as also to the Wayland soldiers at Annapolis. 

"On the 23d I proceeded to Annapolis, where the corps was 
already in motion to join the Army of the Potomac, then quar- 
tered around Culpeper Court House and along the Rapidan 
River. The spring campaign was about to open. Under the 
lead of Lieut-Gen. Grant, we felt sure of victory and success. 

" Three days' marching brought us to Washington, We 
stopped at the ordnance-depot for arms, and so were disap- 
pointed in not taking part in the review by the President."]* 
We overtook our division the same evening ; and Alexandria 
was reached the following day : thence our march to Manassas 
Junction lay through a country devastated by the tramp of war. 
Fences all gone, fields trodden down, no growing crops, no 
inhabitants to be seen, — all desolate! Surely Virginia has 
suffered the penalty for her treason. 

" The Ninth Corps was distributed along the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad, over which all the supplies passed to sus- 
tain the great army. Our regiment was stationed at Manassas 

* This camp was in the city of Baltimore ; and the regiment was composed mainly of men 
from the State of Maryland. 

t " We passed through Washington at midnight ; and I wonder what effect it had on the 
President's ears as five hundred Ethiopian voices poured forth, — 

' While we rally round the flag, boys, — rally once again, — 
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom.' " 

Army Letter. 
28 



2l8 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

Junction ; a stockade and platform for unloading freight, and 
a small shanty for a telegraph-office, constituting the whole of 
this important post. 

" Here a permanent organization of the colored troops was 
effected. Two brigades, of four regiments each, made up the 
division, commanded by that gentlemanly soldier, Brig.-Gen. 
Edward Ferrero. Col. Bates (afterward succeeded by Col. Sig- 
fried) commanded the first brigade, of which the Thirty-ninth 
formed a part. 

" No time was wasted at the Junction in perfecting the disci- 
pline of the colored troops ; and they soon showed the evidence 
of their capacity to become expert soldiers. 

" There was much that was amusing, often ludicrous, in the 
early experiences of those sable warriors ; and it was with diffi- 
culty that the commander of Company E could maintain proper 
dignity of deportment at all times while drilling his company. 
They were punctiliously faithful to their trusts. One of my 
men, on being detailed as guard, was duly impressed with the 
importance of his duty by being told to ' let no one pass without 
the countersign, — not even his own grandmother.' The colonel 
saw fit that night to test some of the sentinels. On approach- 
ing the beat of this one, he was admonished to stop; while the 
'click, click' of the raised hammer lent the proper emphasis to 
the challenge. ' Why can't I pass ? ' says the colonel. ' 'Cause,' 
replied the soldier, ' de cap'n tole me to shoot eberybody what 
come dis yer way, if it was my great-granmudder.' 

" On the 4th of May, at sunset, we broke camp, and moved 
southward. All the camps along the route had been vacated. It 
was evident that the ' ball was about to open.' The march was 
kept up the next day. Cattlett's, Warrenton Junction, Bristow, 
Bealton, and Rappahannock Stations were all passed ; and, on the 
morning of the 6th of May, we reached and crossed the Rapidan 
at Germania Ford. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 219 

" Rapid and heavy firing a little distance ahead indicated the 
work before us. The battle of the Wilderness was being fought. 
A single entry in my journal indicates the train of thought and 
feeling then uppermost, and which may apply also to other simi- 
lar occasions : — 

" ' I feel no desire to go in ; and in turn, have no intention of 
staying out, if called in.' My philosophy was not, however, to be 
tested at that time. We were ordered to re-enforce the right of 
the army under Gen. Sedgwick, which was hard pressed ; but 
the tide turned as we were moving into line of battle, and we 
were not needed. 

" That night we were detailed as guard to the division-train, 
and, the next morning, marched to Chancellorsville. Here we 
remained on guard until the 15th, while the battle raged every 
day on our front and left. 

" The ground we occupied here was filled with evidence of 
the fierce battle fought the year before, when Gen. Hooker was 
defeated, and Stonewall Jackson lost his life. 

" The operations of our division were unimportant during the 
critical days now passing. Under any other leader than Grant, 
the army would have made a ' masterly retreat' over the old road 
to Washington, badly whipped. Grant is never whipped ! He 
persevered. Communication was opened vid Fredericksburg 
with the North, and the army-haversack was kept replenished. 

" In guarding the train and communications, we shifted posi- 
tion several times, but without actual conflict; the nearest 
approach to it being when Ewell's Corps had partially flanked 
our right wing, and nearly reached our line before their advance 
was checked by the Second Corps. It was a pretty good test of 
the valor of our colored men, who stood ready for duty, and had 
reason to believe that their time had come to fight. But others 
fought — oh, how bravely! Our invincible army swept on in its 



220 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

bloody way to Richmond like the conflagration, that, though 
often checked, is not subdued until its fiery work is done. 
Thousands fell : but Grant's goal was victory ; his prize, peace. 
Posterity will see how, in that bloody Wilderness, we had a leader 
whose will was iron., and whose spirit knew 7io relj^ogressio7t. 

" On the 2ist of May, our army had swung on its centre ; so 
that its direction lay north and south, with the left towards 
Richmond. Then began those flanking movements which 
baffled Lee, and compelled him, fighting all the way, to retire to 
the defences of his capital. 

" In the change of base from Fredericksburg to White-house 
Landing, the large army-train moved on a road parallel to the 
Virginia Central Railroad, and about six miles in rear of the 
army-line. We left Fredericksburg May 22. The weather was 
now delightful. As we passed the summit of Mary's Heights, 
by and through the numerous works we vainly tried to take in 
December, 1862, and whence we could look on the slaughter- 
plain below, sad memories of those terrible scenes were revived 
afresh. 

"Bowling Green, Newtown, and Dunkirk — all dilapidated 
towns — were passed before reaching Mattapony River. Sunday 
following, we camped on the shores of the Pamunkey, — a dirty 
stream. That evening we received a welcome mail ; * and, as I 

* All correspondence by mail had been interdicted by Gen. Grant during the Wilderness 
battles ; and both soldiers in the field, and their friends at home, rejoiced at the removal of the 
restriction. 

" Hanover Town, Va., May 31, 1864. — Last night, five buff envelopes were placed before 
me. The familiar superscriptions told whence they came. I had patiently waited to hear from 
home ; and these were the first messengers from that loved spot that had reached me since we 
left Manassas. . . . 

" I sat down, and, with an avidity you can scarcely conceive, read and re-read those missives. 

" With all the drawbacks, I report myself well, and am enjoying myself. Each day, I go 
forward with renewed courage and hope, a firmer conviction of the righteousness of our cause, 
and with fresh zeal for the performance of duty. Yes, I am happy in a determination to do all 
I can to crush the Rebellion, and restore peace to the members of our national family." — Letter. 



FRANK IVINTHROP DRAPER. 221 

perused the loving and sympathetic messages from home, the 
quiet of Nature was rent by the cannon's boom, that told of the 
severe conflict at Cold Harbor. We crossed the river on the last 
day of May, and passed on to Hanover Town, and thence to New 
Castle ; camping on the grounds of the noted secessionist, Ed- 
mund Ruffin, who claimed the glory (?) of firing the first gun 
on Fort Sumter in 1861, and who ended his life by suicide in 
his house, near which we lay. 

" On the 6th of June we threw up breastworks; being then at 
Old-church Tavern, on the extreme right of the army. Here 
we remained in undisturbed felicity until the 12th, when a cav- 
alry force of the enemy claimed our attention by their threaten- 
ing proximity. Our brigade was ordered out to meet them ; but 
they shied off without waiting for our compliments. 

" A little episode occurred here, illustrative of the vicissitudes 
of army-life. Two hundred of the Southern chivalry had been 
captured, and were sent to Old Church to be forwarded to the 
North. Their escort of honor was a detachment of blacks, wear- 
ing the uniform of Uncle Sam, and executing his orders. It 
was a severe lesson to those haughty chiefs of the South to be 
thus placed under men, who, a short time before, were their abject 
slaves. There was an indignant curl of the lip as they marched 
off helplessly under Sambo's guard.* I wanted to remind them 
that the blame for their seeming degradation must be charged 
to themselves under the inexorable progress of events. 

* " Negro Soldiers. — Personal. — My orderly-sergeant, Sam Bond, I would not exchange 
for any other on the line. He is trusty, obedient, and of excellent habits. Whenever I desire 
to have any thing done by Sergeant Bond, I know it will be done well. I am proud of him. 

" Joe Brown is the best-looking soldier in my company. He has a mulatto complexion, a 
bright eye, and Circassian lip, with an ever-smiling face. He is straight, broad-shouldered, full- 
chested, and tough as a buck. He is a model soldier in appearance, and no less so in his per- 
formance of duty. 

" 'Siah Pharaoh is said to have been put together after everybody else had been made, and 
to be composed of the fragments that were lying round loose." — Army Letter, 



22 2 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

"On the 1 2th of June commenced the brilliant manoeuvre 
which outwitted the enemy, and placed the Union army in front 
of Petersburg. We left camp at sunset. The second day, we 
passed White-house Landing, and the ancient church in which 
it is said Gen. Washington was married. 

" Our march to New Kent Court House was enlivened by an 
incident more remarkable than important. About midnight, 
while quietly moving onward, the whole column suddenly and 
violently recoiled ; and a side move over a high fence was accom- 
plished at the same time. Nobody knew the cause then or 
since ; but it was a perfect panic for a short time, and the scram- 
bling was ridiculous, — the thing that I have most occasion to 
remember being, that I was most unceremoniously tumbled down 
and trodden upon in the melee. 

" Two corps of the army marched upon one road, crossing the 
Chickahominy at Long Bridge ; and the others, with the trains, 
crossed farther east on a pontoon at Jones's Bridge, reaching 
the James River the same evening at Wilson's Landing. Our 
division remained on the north side of the river twenty-four 
hours, — until every thing had come up and crossed. We then 
crossed the James on the ferry-boat ' Jefferson ; ' and thus the 
most famous flanking movement ever recorded was successfully 
consummated. 

" Gen. Gilmore had inexplicably lost the golden opportunity for 
taking the defences of Petersburg ; and this failure changed 
the whole character of the remaining part of the campaign. 
The siege of Petersburg should have been the siege of Rich- 
mond. 

" On the 17th and i8th our lines had been established in good 
position, and within easy range of the interior rebel works. 
Their outer line had been taken on the i6th by the colored 
troops of Gen. Baldy Smith's Eighteenth Corps. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 223 

" We arrived before Petersbur<r on the evenins: of the i8th of 
June ; and Gen. Ferrero assured us, as we passed him, that 
our marching-days were over, and that sterner duty awaited us 
than guarding baggage-trains. 

" At one o'clock on the morning of the 21st, we were ordered 
to the second hne of works near Appomattox River. This was 
our position till the morning of the 24th. This interval afforded 
us opportunity to become practically acquainted with the music 
of the Minie-balls as they sped their way, designed for any un- 
fortunate pate that chanced to show itself above the parapet. 
The coolness of our negro soldiers, when thus exposed, was 
gratifying proof of their reliability.* 

" The only incident for the remainder of the month was a 
tramp to Prince George's Court House to meet an anticipated 
raid on our communications with City Point by the enemy's 
cavalry. 

" The 2d of July found our division at Sturtevant's Mills, 
near the source of the Blackwater River, in a quiet forest. 
Here the eighty-eighth anniversary of American Independence 
was celebrated without any waste of gunpowder ; while the 
heavy boom of cannon four miles away told of peculiar salutes. 

" One bright, sunny morning, my authoritative functions were 
suddenly arrested, and my faithful steel was allowed to rust 
ignominiously, though only temporarily. 

" The point at issue was, whether the verbal detail of a man of 
my company was sufficiently effectual to prevent the exercise 
of power on my part to release him from unreasonable punish- 



* " I am writing under fire. The leaden humming-birds are flying busily overhead. 
Under fire, — comparatively a meaningless expression on paper. The 7'ealily appears to me 
rather romantic. I wish some good people from home would just 'fall in,' and have the ex- 
perience of one good fight. I think it would have a tendency to allay their disposition for croak- 
ing and fault-finding." — Letter. 



2 24 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

ment while thus detailed, yustice took the defendant's part ; 
but army regulations, military precedent : and Col. Sigfried, the 
brigade commander, stood on the opposite side. An explanatory 
letter to the colonel released me from arrest ; and, in two days 
after, I became the aide-de-camp of that very excellent but some- 
what unique officer.* 

" On the 26th, a part of the brigade was ordered to the front 
line ; and headquarters was removed to a bomb-proof It is 
impossible to tell the story of those days. Life at the front was 
slow death. The intense heat, the incessant danger, the un- 
comfortable quarters, the constant duty of vigilance, made siege- 
life ever memorable.! 

" Each day of twenty-four hours was divided into tours of duty 
for each of us staff-officers to visit the extreme front line, and 
remind the troops to be continually on the watch. 

" Those exposed trips have a distinct place in memory. The 
incessant cracking of sharpshooters along the front ; the 
spiteful ' zip ' of the Minie-balls, as they flew undesirably 
near in my tramp of a quarter of a mile to inform regimental 
commanders that ' the brigade commander directs that the 
troops be vigilant,' — are reminiscences not easily effaced. 

" On the afternoon of the 29th of July, Col. Sigfried directed 
his two aides (Lieut. Washburn and myself) to accompany him 
to the front line. Having selected a comparatively safe position, 

* " Congratulate me. A document in my possession declares my title to be A. A. D. C. at 
brigade headquarters. It came without my knowledge or consent. It is my purpose, by strict 
attention to duty and a becoming bearing, to merit the continuance of the favor which placed 
me here." — Letter. 

t But there were times of quiet, as the following extract indicates : — 

" Sunday, July 24. — It has been unusually quiet to-day ; and, during the closing hours, the 
roar of the guns has ceased entirely. We soldiers love this quiet. It gives us opportunity to 
think of home and its associations. At such times, we cannot but indulge a wish that ' grim- 
visaged War ' would ' retire in good order,' and let that fabulous 'white- winged Peace' make 
us a permanent visit." — Letter. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER.. 225 

with his field-glass he proceeded to scan the long yellow mound 
in fi-ont, occupied by our enemies. Between that line and the 
point where we stood was an irregular fort, also garrisoned by 
rebel forces. ' We shall enter on this side, and pass to the 
right,' said he : 'I don't believe the abatis will be in the way. 
Our position will be to support this other division, and aid in 
gaining the summit of that hill which overlooks Petersburg.' 
So much for this reconnoissance. It was suggestive of work for 
the morrow, on which there was to be a fight ; and we were to be 
there. The mine which Col. Pleasants has been superintend- 
ing, and his Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment had been 
digging, was to be exploded ; and great results were expected to 
follow. 

" Very little sleep came to the eyes of the men of the Ninth 
Army Corps that night. At our headquarters, we discussed the 
plans and the prospects. 

" The events of that fatal 30th of July are too deeply implanted 
in my memory to need specific and elaborate description.* The 

* From a letter of twenty-two closely-written pages, minutely describing the movements 
connected with the " Battle of the Mine," the following brief notes are taken : — 

"July 31. — Before you receive this letter, you will have read full accounts of an assault on 
the enemy's works yesterday, and of our disastrous repulse. 

" Let me first assure you of my entire safety. The only effect of the extreme excitement, labor, 
and danger which I have passed through, is excessive fatigqe. 

" At half-past three in the morning, we were in position for advance. All the general, field, and 
staff officers were dismounted. 

" It was a most important moment when the order to advance was given. The exposure of 
life in crossing this intervening space was evident. But all the impulses of my higher nature 
rose superior to any sense of personal danger; and I was unconscious of any base fear as the 
gantlet of death was entered and traversed, where the dead and wounded thickly strewed the 
ground, and where hundreds of others were added from our division as we quickly moved over 
the fearful pass. . . . The crater, one hundred yards in circumference and twenty-five feet deep, 
was crowded full of living and dead soldiers. It will do you no good to read of the wholesale 
mangling of humanity, and the horrible forms of death that occurred every moment all around 
me. From both flanks, a most destructive fire of artillery and musketry was poured into our 
division. They had the exact range ; and every shell exploded with terrible effects. 

" But there are times in battle that are glorious in the midst of destruction. To see that col- 
29 



2 26 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

assembling of the troops in the dark, early morning ; the delay 
until the sun showed his red face above the horizon ; the low, 
quaking rumble of the earth ; the deep-toned explosion when 
the fort we had scanned the day previous rose bodily in the air ; 
the sudden and simultaneous discharge of hundreds of expectant 
cannon that poured their deadly missiles into the rebel works 
all along our lines, with the answering projectiles of the 
enemy ; the advance of the first division, which gained the 
rebel line almost without opposition ; the massing of our divis- 
ion ; the few words of consultation ; the cool words from Gen. 
Ferrero, ' Col. Sigfried, advance your brigade ; ' the rush up 
the intervening slope to the 'crater' of the blown-up fort in 
the midst of a hail-storm of bullets and grape-shot that whizzed 
and hummed and snapped by us and over us most terrifically ; 
the brave advance of our division in unbroken column over 
that bloody ground ; the crater, lined from bottom to top with 
living and dead soldiers ; the trial of those long hours in which 
nothing was done, because nobody seemed to know what to do ; 
the final charge of the rebels ; the panic ; the retreat in con- 
fusion, — these and all the scenes and incidents of that bloody 
' Battle of the Mine ' will ever be in fresh remembrance. 

umn of colored troops moving steadily in the face of such a fire was to me a grand sight. Tak- 
ing my stand on a huge bowlder, I forgot the imminent danger, and could only admire the con- 
duct of our brave boys. Veteran generals uncovered their heads, and waved their swords. Our 
division, on reaching the exploded mine, passed to a still more exposed position on the right. 
The men were fearfully swept away . Not fifteen minutes elapsed before five field-officers were 
carried away, either killed or wounded. . . . 

" The white division had failed to advance as was expected. . . . There seemed to be no com- 
mander. . . . We were under fire from seven to half-past eleven, a.m. ; and our loss is very great. 
... I will not attempt to describe my feelings in view of the disastrous result. 

"During a brief truce, those unselfish agents of charity — the employees of the Christian and 
Sanitary Commission — advance with pails of iced water, which they carry to our wounded on 
the field. 

" Under those simple white flags, rebel and Union officers fraternized freely. In making in- 
quiries for Lieut. Washburn, T spoke with several who would willingly shoot me six hours later. 
I saw no manifestation of malicious hostility : on the contrary, there seemed the utmost good 
will." . . . 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 227 

"We were defeated, — sadly defeated. Somebody had blun- 
dered, and rendered severely useless a plan which was well con- 
ceived, and should have been eminently successful. 

" Concerning the battle in general, two official reports are pub- 
lished. An army commission, of which Gen. Hancock was the 
president, declares its opinion that Gen. Burnside was the blame- 
worthy cause of the disaster : on the other hand, the Congres- 
sional Committee on the Conduct of the War decide that Gen. 
Meade caused the defeat by his opposition to the plan from the 
beginning, and because he changed the plan of attack at the 
very last moment, but gave no co-operative aid to the move- 
ment. 

" And now, for a time, the great army before Petersburg fur- 
nished no exciting topics, but, in their turn, found intense 
interest in hearing of the movements of the rebel general (Early), 
who shook his ponderous fist at the capital of our country, even 
before its very gates, with frightening aspect, and then retired 
gracefully before the pursuing forces of Lew Wallace and 
Wright, all under command of the dashing Phil Sheridan ; and 
then everybody's heart beat easier. 

" During these August days of general inactivity, the artillerists 
of both lines used to enliven the dull hours (of night especially) 
with trials of their skill ; and there would be such a roaring, 
crashing, and smashing of projectiles, as if all the Furies were 
' out on a lark.' It was my pleasing duty on two or three of 
these midnight improprieties to go from headquarters across a 
field, in full range of those foul-mouthed speech-makers, on the 
necessary errands of Col. Sigfried. It was an excellent test 
of nervous strength to steer one's way in the darkness amid the 
hissing, screeching shells and grape-shot.* 

* " When I see that there are men who are physically capable of marching with us, and fighting 
the foe, but who choose to remain at home, and find fault with us for not taking Richmond and 



2 28 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" After the Weldon-railroad fight by the Fifth Corps, which 
deprived the rebel capital of one great source of suppHes, our 
division was set to work on the heavy defences there ; which 
being completed with thick abatis-work in front, the men re- 
ceived the gratifying news that they might rest a while, and 
were sent to camp around the Gurley House, the best edifice 
in those parts. The month of September will be remembered 
as one of great pleasure to us at headquarters, where we were 
free to discuss politics, the news, and watermelons, with plenty 
of leisure for reading and writing. 

" For news, we had tidings, six hours after its occurrence, of 
the fall of Atlanta before the power of Sherman's army, and 
of the punishment Sheridan was inflicting on Early at Winches- 
ter and Fisher's Hill. Gen. Grant amused himself, and at the 
same time showed his foresight and consummate skill, in con- 
structing an army railroad around his lines to facilitate trans- 
portation. 

" In the closing days of that pleasant September, another peri- 
odical spasm occurred, — the extension of our line on the left, the 
Ninth and Fifth Corps co-operating. And, at the same time. Gen. 
Butler on the right drove the rebels ; and his colored troops as- 
saulted and carried Fort Harrison, — one of the enemy's heaviest 
works, and nearest to Richmond. The fighting was very heavy in 
both quarters. The part which our division took was compara- 
tively unimportant. 

" Being detailed on the 29th September to take command of 
a detachment of scouts to ascertain the position of the enemy 
on the farther edge of a belt of woods, I found their works in 

Atlanta, turning a cold shoulder on Administration measures, and under the semblance of a desire 
for peace, which is believed to be their ground of hope to save their own miserable pelts, I feel 
that I and my comrades at the front have just cause for indignation. I speak soberly and honestly 
when I say that I despise such home-traitors more than I do the rebels in arms before me to- 
day. The duty of a free citizen to fight for his country is of too sacred a character to be evaded." 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 229 

that region apparently without garrison. Here and there a lazy 
' gray-back ' appeared ; but no force could be discovered ; and 
report was made accordingly to Gen. Ferrero. 

" The time seemed auspicious for an assault on those works. 
Orders from general headquarters were telegraphed to Ferrero 
to proceed cautiously, and, if found expedient, to attack : so, in 
the afternoon, I had the honor of leading a reconnoissance in 
force to the desired place. Imagine my feelings, when, on reach- 
ing \\\^ point d'appui, it was discovered that those same desolate 
works of yesterday were now crowded full of troops, and their 
picket-line re-enforced ! Our attack was indefinitely postponed. 

" Now came my retribution. Gen. Ferrero was not to be 
trifled with ; and the next day, a dismal, drizzly day, I was again 
sent through those woods, with a small detachment, ' to see if 
there was any change in the enemy's position.' 

" Half crawling, we sneaked along like thieves at night (it was 
almost as dark) to the close proximity of the rebel works, 
expecting that we might meet squads of our neighbor ' gray- 
backs ' on similar errands. Having completed our observation, 
we turned homeward. But, alas ! human judgment is not in- 
fallible. Instead of following our track backward, we came out 
unexpectedly upon a line of works which were at first taken 
for a portion of the Union line ; but it was soon discovered 
that they belonged to our neighbors, with whom we were not on 
good terms just then. Our course was altered, with caution at 
first ; and soon a quicker step brought us to a region of safety. 
At least one of that^Darty resolved that he would never make 
scouting his business.* 

* " Oct. 3. — This day was signalized in our camp by the execution of "a deserter. Jin'times 
of peace, what could be said of men, who like those eight, endowed with enlightened reason, 
and conscious of the responsibility of their acts, could stand up coolly, and, taking theword of 
command from their official superior, deliberately aim and fire at a human being, intelligent 
and living like themselves now, but who, by their act, will be in an instant sent from time to 
eternity ! " 



230 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" Oct. 5, we were sent to the extreme left, near the Peeble s 
Farm. Our division had gained a distinction for industry, and 
an expert use of the pick and spade, attested by a score of forts 
along the lines, to say nothing of redoubts, breastworks, abatis, 
and covered ways. Night and day, our colored men turned the 
yellow clay of Virginia into defences behind which loyal bravery 
might hold the foe at bay ; and at this newly-won point their 
industry was demanded.* 

" On the loth of October, Col. Bates returned to duty, and, as 
senior colonel of the brigade, took command. 

" Of him it may be said, that coolness and bravery were dis- 
tinguishing elements of his character ; and he possessed other 
traits also, which endeared him to every soldier of his command. 
He won from his staff-members a respect and abiding regard 
which he most amply deserved. 

" On the 20th of October, he constituted me acting assistant- 
adjutant of the brigade. This post was retained while I remained 
in the army ; and its months of duty were among the pleasantest 
of my military life. 

"Very early on the morning of Oct. 27, the army moved 
out of its intrenchments to the left, with a view to cutting 
the Southside Railroad, and severing or outflanking the rebel 
line. The affair is called the fight at Hatcher's Run. Gen. 
Grant called it a reconnoissance ; and since we were outwitted, 
and our hopes and expectations smashed, perhaps we may as 
well accept the general's definition.! 

"We left camp just as the uncertain light of a dark, misty 
morning was making natural objects discernible, following the 

* " It is said that three hundred negroes will do the work of a thousand whites in the 
excessively hot season." — Letter. 

1 " Ask almost any intelligent soldier if he is ready to move : he will tell you, ' Yes, when 
Grant is ready.' Such is the confidence the army reposes in its commander." 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 23 1 

track of the Second and Fifth Corps. We of the Ninth marched 
out two miles, and deployed as skirmishers. On entering a thick 
wood in front, the sharp and rapid cracking of rifle-shots 
spoke of progress; and presently the louder report of cannon 
told of more serious work. Our line advanced with difficulty in 
the face of a deadly storm of shells and bullets. While deliver- 
ing an order on horseback, I inadvertently came upon the ene- 
my's line, within half a dozen rods of their breastworks. How 
horse and rider escaped the shots discharged at them is a mys- 
tery. A retrograde move was imperative and very active. 

" When within a very easy range of the rebel lines, we halted, 
and threw up with surprising alacrity a temporary defence. 

" Farther to the left, the rebel forces had concentrated more 
fully ; and several sharp charges had occurred, with much loss on 
both sides, and no decided advantage. Just as night set in, there 
came a cold, drenching rain-storm. That dismal night, soaked 
and chilled almost !o frenzy, with the dead lying around, I thought 
of the comforts of home. The next day, at nine o'clock, orders 
came for us to retire from this bloody, fruitless, and most uncom- 
fortable rccoiinoissance* 

" The re-election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency as- 
serted with emphasis, that despite all the discouragements, par- 
tisan cavils, plots of traitors in the field, or of the more despica- 
ble traitors at home, our noble patriots would still press on to a 
complete triumph of arms ; thus laying the foundations firm for 
an enduring peace. 

" Our brigade was next ordered to relieve troops at Bermuda 
Hundred, under command of Gen. Butler. I bade good-by to 
the Ninth Corps with regret. 

* " Nov. 3. — I am a little better natured than I was last Sunday. I can almost shout 
' Hurrah for the reconnoissance ! ' with this proviso, that, when the whole army next goes out 
scouting, I hope it will make more capital for Union and Liberty than it did one week ago 
to-day." 



232 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

" In our new position, we received a regular daily bombard- 
ment, to the prejudice of our peace of mind * 

" On the 2d of December, just six years after old John Brown 
was hung for the cause which his enemies have since done so 
much to advance inadvertently, the colored troops of the Army 
of the James were organized under command of Gen. Weitzell. 

" Our position was tiresome and uneventful. The weather 
was almost continuously unpleasant. 

" Gen. Butler's Dutch-gap Canal was visited. I found it a 
small concern for such great pretensions. The rebels, however, 
regarded it as worthy a regular shelling every day from their 
heavy battery at the Howlett House, about a mile away. 

" The Fort-Fisher expedition having returned covered with 
every thing but glory. Gen. Grant (from whose dictionary the 
word " fail " seems to have dropped out) did not suffer a week 
to elapse ere he sent the same troops back again under a new 
leader, — Gen. Terry. 

" Gen. Sherman had triumphantly stalked through the heart 
of Georgia, and had reached Savannah. He now, with an equally 
fearless tread, was to move through the Carolinas, northward, to 
join Gen. Grant. A half-way supply-station or base might pos- 
sibly be needed in his progress : hence the reduction of Fort 
Fisher, and capture of Wilmington, was made part of the grand 
movement. This was accomplished by Gen. Terry's forces, after 
a hard fight, on the 19th of January, 1865. In neither of these 
expeditions was I permitted to share ; Gen. Bates being held 
in reserve on both occasions. 

" Meanwhile I was very glad of another opportunity to visit 
home, where twenty days of solid enjoyment rapidly passed. 

* " Twenty-four hours did not elapse, after our arrival near Battery Harrison, before the 
rebels tried the grit of our ' smoked Yankees.' The result was, that said Yankees stood their 
ground nobly ; and the rebels retired, leaving twenty of their comrades on the field between the 
lines." — Letter. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 



233 



" Part of my home-expedition was to purchase in Boston an 
elegant sword to be presented to Gen. Bates by his staff in token 
of their high appreciation of his merits as an officer. 

" On returning to headquarters, I found we were under march- 
ing-orders for North Carohna. 

" In the afternoon of Feb. 20, we found ourselves on board 
the steamer ' Daniel Webster,' slowly moving down the James. 
It was a relief to get away from those old familiar scenes ; and 
yet, as we watched the smoke of the camp-fires of the great army 
with which we had so long been associated, we experienced also 
a regret at leaving so many of our old companions. 

" At Fortress Monroe, we were delayed long enough to allow a 
thorough inspection of the place ; * then we started for Fort 
Fisher, and, on the morning of Feb. 23, came to anchor opposite 
the fort, with hearty cheering that the city of Wilmington had 
surrendered the day before. 

" A dozen officers, including the general and some of his staff, 
ventured ashore in a skiff through a surf that tossed us about 
as if we were of little consequence. Our skipper told us it was 
' very dangerous ; ' and we kindly informed him that ' they who 
are born to be hung will not be drowned.' 

" Fort Fisher, which had defied our power for four years, giv- 
ing its protection, meanwhile, to so many blockade-runners for 
the aid and comfort of the Rebellion, we found to be an immense 
pile of sand fronting the sea ; its huge proportions rising out 
of the beach, and stretching along for half a mile.f Over its 

* " Peace Convention at Fort Monroe, Feb. 3. — Abraham Lincoln was firm as a rock. 
All honor to him ! . . . There is no loyal soldier who is yet ready to back down to rebel power. 
Much as we desire a cessation of hostilities, we will never, never willingly submit to any terms 
which honor, national integrity, and humane principles, do not underlie." — Letter. 

t " In one of the spaces near the centre of the work is the celebrated Armstrong gun, pre- 
sented by Sir William Armstrong to Gen. Whiting. It is certainly the most magnificent speci- 
men of ordnance I ever saw. The carriage is solid mahogany, highly polished, and mounted 



234 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

parapet, at regular intervals, the great Columbiads which had 
not been dismounted poked their noses sulkily ; while numerous 
smaller guns whose mission was ended lay silent and inert. The 
great holes in the fort, and the hundreds of tons of iron scat- 
tered around, told of the severity of the bombardment. 

" The next day, we steered up the Cape-Fear River to Wil- 
mington. The scenery on either side was uninviting. The 
river-channel was obstructed in several places by submerged 
stockades, against one of which our boat was impelled, causing 
a leak, which sunk her, but not until the living freight had 
escaped. 

" In the course of campaigning, much government-property, 
for which company-officers are held responsible, becomes un- 
avoidably missing. A shipwreck under such circumstances is 
made sometimes a save-all to such officers. It must have been 
a source of some surprise to the quartermaster-general, on ex- 
amining the next returns from Gen. Paine's division, when he 
discovered that more of Uncle Sam's property had been lost in 
the ' Daniel Webster ' than twenty vessels of her tonnage could 
contain. 

" Wilmington was found in a very shabby condition, produced 
both by the destruction of its friends and foes. The people 
were civil, but sullen. Instead of being grateful for the restora- 
tion of the old flag (the symbol of true freedom), they seemed 
to look scornfully on all which reminded them of the presence 
of Yankees. Especially did they cast indignant glances at the 
black soldiery. The women were worse than the men, imagin- 
ing, doubtless, that their spiteful vituperations were exceedingly 
harmful to us Northerners. There were some, however (a small 



with brass. The gun itself is splendidly polished, and in excellent repair. Our shots, that 
damaged almost every other gun, did no harm to this." — Letter. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 235 

minority), who hailed our national forces with sincere joy, and, 
after a long night of despotism, looked gladly upon the dawn of 
a new day. 

" One incident occurred soon after our arrival, which showed 
the chivalry that we had with us some champions of freedom. 
A squad of our colored troops chanced to see a mulatto-girl for- 
cibly dragged to a whipping-post by an inhuman man. They in- 
stantly released the intended victim, and would have dealt sum- 
mary justice to the culprit ; but he barely escaped. Only a day 
or two elapsed before our sable sons of freedom had found out 
and destroyed every vestige of whipping-posts and stocks, and all 
other implements of slave-torture. 

" Many curious circumstances grew out of the sudden change 
of authority in Wilmington. One woman, the day before our ad- 
vent, sold three of her best slaves for eighteen thousand dollars 
(Confederate paper). On considering the relative value of the pur- 
chase-money, and of the newly-emancipated slaves, it would be 
hard to decide which profited by the trade, — the woman, or the 
purchaser. One stalwart negro-man indicated his notion of 
freedom by going to his late master's house, and demanding all 
the furniture ; asserting, that, by his newly-acquired liberty, he 
gained possession of equal rights with the ' massa.' 

" Freedom from labor was the prominent idea with these new 
citizens. To sit quietly down, and be supported by others, was 
to them the true interpretation of liberty ; and some disturbance 
in domestic affairs was a necessary result. Sweet young maidens 
found themselves obliged to cook their own dinners, or go with- 
out. One lady, whose delicate hand showed little sign of the 
wash-tub and kneading-pan, told me, 'She reckoned we'uns 
ought to be ashamed of ourselves for coming down 'yer, and 
freeing their slaves : ' she found it ' right hard to get up early 
in the morning, and do the cookin'.' I didn't tell her it was 



236 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

good enough for her ; but I thought it might be a valuable les- 
son to her ladyship. We remained in the city about two weeks ; 
and several pleasant acquaintances were made. 

" Meanwhile, the troops were encamped about ten miles from 
town, — on the Goldsborough Road, at North-east Station, where 
the rebels had been driven across the river, burnins: the brids^e 
after them. 

" Our stay here will be associated with one event of painful 
interest, — the delivery by the rebels, into our hands, of five 
thousand Union prisoners. I could not adequately portray the 
scenes of that incident if I would, and I would not if I could. 
Almost starved, nearly naked, dirty, emaciated to living skele- 
tons, with haggard looks ; many with reason shattered, so that 
they were mere imbeciles ; and all of them loathsome yet pitia- 
ble reminders of rebel barbarism, — a barbarism more savage 
than words can express, — these poor soldiers came dragging 
their wasted frames wearily along in the cold March wind 
through the muddy, swampy roads. And were they not truly 
loyal still } Hear the shout they raise as they see again the old 
flag! — a shout feeble, but hearty. And when they see the 
'WELCOME,' which, in evergreen, marks the arch under which 
they pass as they reach our lines ; and when they hear from 
our bands the soothing tones of ' Home, Sweet Home,' — many 
a veteran cheek that had never blanched 

' In the imminent, deadly breach,' 

and many an eye that never dimmed when the numerous foe 
assaulted, now feels the tear of joyful thanksgiving. 

" Numbers of these poor fellows never survived to tell their 
story to their friends at home. A sudden return to civilized liv- 
ing from the barbarous torture of the prison-pen was fatal to 
many. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 237 

" Except for this incident, our camp here was a round of gala- 
days for the soldiers. Gen. Sherman was now at Fayetteville, 
having compelled the evacuation of Charleston and of Columbia 
by his skilful generalship. He was now turning his attention 
to the army of Johnston. 

"On a beautiful sunny morning, March 16, we broke camp, 
and crossed the river ; setting our faces towards Goldsborough. 
The march was very jolly ; the only inconvenience being the 
necessity of fording numerous streams. The men made no 
complaint, but, on reaching a stream, would march straight on, 
often accompanying the cold bath with hearty cheering, or with 
some of their peculiar songs. A noteworthy feature of this 
tramp was the extensive foraging, which was permitted by order. 
It was not indiscriminate, but systematic. Each regiment was 
permitted to send out a party daily ; and the staple products of 
North-Carolina soil were gathered in without regard to prior 
ownership, unless the proprietor proved himself a loyal man. 
But I confess that this system never harmonized with my sense 
of justice or propriety; and nothing but sheer necessity would 
seem to warrant its practice by an army claiming to be made 
up of civilized elements. 

"So we marched along, until, on the 19th, we passed through 
Keenansville, where we heard the heavy and rapid booming of 
the hostile armies of Sherman and Johnston at Bentonville. 
We hurried on ; but the rebels were defeated before we came 
near enough to help. 

" Our course was now directed to the Neuse River, where we 
arrived in two days ; and, the next morning. Gen. Sherman's 
army reached the same point. I looked upon his veterans with 
respect, and with something of awe. They had fought from 
Chattanooga to Atlanta, beating the foe at every step; and then 
marched hundreds of miles through Georgia, taking Savannah, 



238 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

and passed triumphantly through the CaroHnas to their present 
point. Such men were not ' fair-weather home-guards ' or ' hoHday 
soldiers ; ' yet, but a few months ago, they were all quiet citizens 
of the North, and, on their farms and in their workshops, had 
hardly dreamed of war, much less of such wonderful exploits. 

" The last occasion on which our colored soldiers were called 
to show their bravery, while I was among them, was during 
the few days we remained on the banks of the Neuse. A com- 
pany of less than a hundred men, under command of Capt. C. B. 
Safford, was on our picket-line. They were suddenly attacked 
by a brigade of cavalry with two pieces of artillery. At first, 
they broke under the suddenness of the attack, but soon rallied, 
and held the rebel force at bay, firing with coolness and telling 
rapidity, until our line was formed, and advanced with a scatter- 
ing effect on Wheeler's Cavalry Brigade. 

" The next day we marched to Faison's Station, on the Wil- 
mington Railroad, where our supplies, coming direct from the 
city, were abundant and excellent. 

" An intimate acquaintance formed here with William H. Hill, 
Esq., one of the Southern aristocracy, enabled me to get an in- 
sight of Southern affairs that was truly interesting and valuable.* 

* " The residence of Mr. Hill was palatial in every sense ; but the splendid appointments 
were not easy. There was a seeming presence that kept rising, Banquo-like, reminding one 
that every thing around was the fruit of the sweat of men's brows who could not call their chil- 
dren their own. 

" Yet I have rarely enjoyed conversation more than with Mr. and Mrs. Hill. There was that 
free and courteous manner, mingled with a grace and refinement, that makes one feel at home. 

" Slavery had its full share of discussion. I remarked (after listening to what Mr. Hill had 
said), that it was, then, after all, only from a spirit of spite and antagonism to the North that 
the institution had been defended with their life-blood ; and I was surprised to hear them both 
assent. 

" With reference to the negroes and slavery, Mr. Hill said, ' I wish some dispensation of 
Providence would suddenly remove every negro, and every vestige and memento of him or his 
associations, from off the face of the land.' 

" ' But if,' said he, ' the experiment of emancipation shall prove as successful and beneficial 
as I now believe it will, I shall count my loss nothing {he had been owner of a hundred atid fifty 
slaves), and shall consider this great war a blessing.' " 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 239 

" But the event of all others to be noted in connection with 
this camp was the reception of a despatch from Gen. Grant, tell- 
ing us, that, on the 2d of the month, the great victory had been 
won that placed Richmond in our hands. Oh, how our hearts 
ascended in glad thanksgiving, and in outward expressions of 
cheer, salute, and every other form of rejoicing! The day was 
now clearly breaking after the long night of our toil and 
hardship. 

" It was not wonderful that we obeyed the order to march 
with alacrity, hoping to do our part in aiding Grant to ' finish 
up the job at once.' 

" On the loth of April, we moved toward Raleigh ; and, on 
the same day, Sherman marched his army in further pursuit of 
Johnston. 

" As we were tramping rapidly over a good road, we heard 
loud cheering in advance, — a display of such enthusiasm as men 
feel when their whole being is filled with a sudden joy. It was 
the news of the surrender of Lee's whole army on the 9th of 
April. Such wildly enthusiastic demonstrations of rejoicing I 
never witnessed before or since. The startled pine - forests 
seemed to catch the spirit, and rang through and through for 
hours with merry shoutings. 

" It only remained now, to complete the Union victory, for 
Sherman to make one firm grapple with Johnston : so we 
tramped on more cheerfully and rapidly than before. 

" Anticipations of a fight at Raleigh were disappointed ; our 
rebel friends there assuming, before our arrival, that ' discretion 
is the better part of valor.' 

" Raleigh was found by the Yankee travellers to be a very 
beautiful city, and in excellent condition. It had experienced 
but little of the devastation of war that had been visited upon 
other Southern cities. Its regular and beautifully-shaded streets. 



240 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

its attractive public buildings and tasteful private dwellings, with 
the lovely suburbs, made it the most civilized and inviting locality 
seen in my Southern tours. 

" Gen. Sherman established himself in the governor's man- 
sion, while his great army encamped around the city. 

"The treaty of April 17 constitutes an incident concerning 
which I hardly know how to write. The stipulations were not 
such as the Union victors had a right to demand. Unconditional 
surrender seemed the only proper basis for a permanent peace ; 
and the proposed treaty did not, in the opinion of many, come up to 
the exigency of the case. It satisfied us soldiers only in one thing, 
and that was an important point, — it ended our fighting; though, 
for that matter, we should have been willing for further service 
in that direction, if it would render the hoped-for results more 
certain and permanent. Nevertheless, our rejoicings were sin- 
cere that the time had now come so near when we could leave 
the scenes of conflict for the longed-for quiet of home. 

" In the midst of all this came that fearful blow that smote 
the heart of every Union soldier, and smothered our joy as with 
a gloomy darkness. Our good President Lincoln had been as- 
sassinated ! 

" In all our camps there was the silence of real grief: and the 
people of the town too, now, for the first time, seemed to realize 
how good a man Abraham Lincoln had been ; and, in the ex- 
pressed conviction that in him they had lost their best friend, 
they paid a tribute to his memory which all their insults to his 
name, while living, could hardly cancel. 

" These pages are not the place for eulogy ; yet I cannot pass 
the record of the event without a word to tell how I felt person- 
ally when the great national loss became to me a reality. It 
was no fitful shadow that now rested upon us. Humanity had 
lost a true friend, our nation a leader, and the world a represen- 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 24 1 

tative of true manhood. Posterity, in reading the history of these 
times, will make Abraham Lincoln the peer of Washington in 
honor and respectful memory. 

" He was emphatically the good President. ' With malice to- 
ward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God 
gave him to see it,' he lived and worked, and, dying, gave himself 
up, a most precious sacrifice, for the cause he labored for so nobly. 
His pure life went out just as the great task he had undertaken 
was fully accomplished. 

" A period of inactivity in the army now ensued. Gen. Sher- 
man had a grand review of his great army before Raleigh ; the 
division of ' smoked Americans ' eliciting remarks of favor from 
the great chieftain. 

"Meantime, the ' Sherman-Breckenridge Treaty' had gone to 
Washington. President Johnson had declared his disapproval 
of its terms, and had despatched Gen. Grant with carte-blanche 
authority to operate a little in our locality. 

"That 'unconditional-surrender' man came. He terminated 
the truce at once, and issued orders to move. This had the de- 
sired effect ; and on the 27th of April, before we had left camp, 
Gen. Joe Johnston desired to represent very respectfully to Gen. 
Sherman, that he was ready to surrender. Our cheers again 
went up to heaven, and our campaigns were ended.*" 

" On the last day of April, our division left Raleigh for Golds- 
borough, accomplishing the fifty-two miles in three days. 

" We were most delightfully established at Goldsborough. 
The recollection of the little oak-grove where our tents were 

* "April 27, 1865. — Thank Heaven that yon live to see this day. Most happy, yes, joy- 
ous beyond expression, am I, that I, your soldier-boy, am at last permitted to tell you that the 
war is ended. Johnston has surrendered ; and peace — a glorious, lasting, honorable peace — 
has dawned, after the long, hideous night of war. No words can express my supreme joy. You 
can but feebly imagine the deep sense of thanksgiving which fills the breast of every surviv- 
ing soldier." — Letter. 

31 



242 FRAA'K WINTHROP DRAPER. 

pitched, of the pleasant walks and rides about town, of the roses 
and the strawberries, and other good things, is refreshing even 
now. 

" It was painful, however, to witness the destitution of the 
natives who came to beg rations. Old women, too aged to 
be out of doors, came tottering to our camp for a few pounds of 
flour to keep 'them from starving. Men would come in from the 
country with ghost-like horses, and indescribable vehicles, after 
the one thing needed. Women were seen who had come fifteen 
miles, bringing their babies. I noticed one poor creature in 
particular, whose blistered feet, and tired, forlorn look, bore truth- 
ful witness of her sad story of want and desolation, — how the 
soldiers had taken all her little store ; how her husband had been 
killed at Gettysburg, and she was left alone and friendless. 
Surel}^ those scenes told more than volumes of the awfulness 
of war. 

"On the loth of May, my resignation as a military officer 
was duly tendered. The time had come, as I believed, when I 
could conscientiously ask to be relieved from further military 
service. I longed to return to studies, which, three years before, 
I had voluntarily interrupted in order that I might join the army. 
The war was now finished. Victory had been gained. Soldier- 
ing was no longer a matter of solemn duty. 

" Pending the action on my resignation. Gen. Bates's brigade 
was ordered to Moorhead City, — a small village on the beach. 
Our headquarters were established the opposite side of the chan- 
nel, at Beaufort; where the sailing and bathing, the sea-breezes 
and ocean-scenery, were all that could be desired. 

" Flowery June was hardly out of its teens when the docu- 
ment arrived releasing me from further service. I visited my 
regiment, then at Kinston, to bid good-by to my company and 
the officers, and then returned to Gen. Bates's headquarters. 



FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 243 

" It was, I confess, not a joyful matter to part with those men. 
Although I had not been with them for a year, yet, in the hon- 
est look and hearty grip of those black boys I had commanded, 
I saw more true manhood than is wont to be accorded to them 
as a race. 

" June 22, I was relieved from duty on the staff of Gen. Bates's 
brigade ; and my soldier-life ended. 

" With as litde delay as possible, I hastened to that home 
which had been left three years before tearfully, yet proudly, 
but now ready to give the welcome so often dreamed of, — a 
happy, glorious welcome ; for it was hearty and unclouded. The 
same little circle, which at the beginning bade me good-by 
with aching hearts, now at the end received me back joy- 
ously. 

" And so the story finishes. It is unavoidably egotistical. 
The incidents all cluster around my personal experience ; for it 
has been my sole intention to record such as belong definitely 
to my own career, and to preserve a connected story of my life 
in the army, alike for my personal gratification in future perusal, 
and for those, who, coming after me, may have any interest in 
the humblest men of the late exciting period of our nation's 
history. And as I write these closing lines, while in memory 
the many incidents, recorded and unrecorded, pass in vivid review, 
there is a satisfactory consciousness that the three years of army- 
life were not uselessly spent. Whatever sacrifices have been 
made by me have been willingly made, under firm convictions of 
duty. There is a proud gratitude for the privilege of taking a 
part, however humble, in the noble work of the past conflict, 
and of being now permitted to look upon its successful termina- 
tion, tempered only by regret that the service rendered was not 
greater." 



244 FRANK WINTHROP DRAPER. 

Frank W. Draper was the third son of James S. and Emehne 
A. (Reeves) Draper; born in Wayland, Feb. 25, 1843. He was 
five feet five inches and a half tall, of dark complexion and hair, 
with hazel eyes. 

Since the war, he has completed a full course of study at the 
Harvard Medical School ; and is now practising his profession 
in Boston, Mass. 



James Austin Draper. 




(b 

CONFLICTING- motives held alternate sway in 
the mind of this soldier for some months before 
he fully resolved on his course of duty. On the 
one hand was the little family he most tenderly 
loved, — the wife in delicate health, the three chil- 
dren (the eldest but five years of age), dependent 
on his exertions for comfort and support; and 
these strongly prompted him to remain at home. 
But, on the other hand, an imperilled country, a pride in fol- 
lowing ancestral example, and the enthusiasm of the day, out- 
weighed all other influences; and on the last day of July, 1862, 
his name was enrolled on the list of volunteers from Wayland, 
his native town. 

He was born Oct. 16, 1835 ; his parents being James S. and 
Emeline A. (Reeves) Draper. His occupation was farming. He 
was five feet six inches tall, with sandy hair and baard, light 
complexion, and blue eyes. 

His marriage with Abbie H. Drury of Wayland occurred on 
his twenty-first birthday. 

For some months previous to his enlistment, he held the posi- 
tion of captain in a volunteer company, and was regarded as an 
excellent master of the military drill. 

The regiment which he joined (Thirty-fifth Infantry, Company 



246 JAMES AUSTIN DRAPER. 

D) was encamped at Lynnfield. Before it left the State (Aug. 
22), he was made sergeant in his company; and he also fulfilled 
the duties of company-clerk. But, amidst all his army employ- 
ment, he did not forget his family. His leisure time was occu- 
pied in writing to them. This was the solace for all the hours 
of his solicitude in their behalf. 

On arriving at Philadelphia (five, p.m., of Aug. 23), the regi- 
ment was welcomed by the Soldiers' Relief Association, the 
members of which had provided an excellent repast for the de- 
fenders of their country. In a letter, he thus notices the recep- 
tion : " There was an immense crowd of people who came out 
to meet and welcome us to their city, and bid us God speed to 
our destination. Ever}^ one seemed as a father, brother, or sis- 
ter ; and all were anxious to grasp us by the hand as we passed. 
Cheer upon cheer greeted us; and the day will be far distant 
when we shall forget our reception in the city of Brotherly 

ove. 

Washington was reached at two o'clock on Sunday ; and, at 
five, a march of fourteen miles was commenced to the camping- 
Q^round on Arlino-ton Heis^hts. The heat and suffocatino- dust 
were a severe test to these new warriors ; and about half of the 
regiment fell out of the ranks, and did not get to camp until the 
next day. Of this number, Sergeant Draper was one. 

While remainino; here, the second Bull-Run battle was fouQ:ht. 
The firing was distinctly heard ; and the sight of the many 
wounded and dead soldiers that were conveyed by their camp to 
Washington was not very cheering to beginners. He writes, — 

" God grant we may not be nearer the battle-field than we 
were yesterday is the prayer of nearly all of us ; but, if it is not 
to be so, we are ready to do our duty as men who know for what 
and whom we are fighting. Our loved ones at home, made 
doubly dear to us by the separation, inspire us with a determi- 



JAMES AUSTIN DRAPER. 247 

nation to be overcome by nothing but death ; and, having faith 
in that Power which controls our destinies, we shall go into ac- 
tion with couraq:e and firmness, resolved to do our utmost to 
stop this wicked Rebellion." 

These feelings and sentiments were soon to be put to the test. 
Col. Wild, though fully aware that his regiment was not yet suf- 
ficiently drilled to make the best appearance on parade-ground, 
was yet equally certain of their prowess, and their determination 
to fuinl their duties at whatever cost ; and, when the enemy 
were found invading Northern Maryland, he offered his com- 
mand in aid of their expulsion. 

Sept. 6, the regiment recrossed the Potomac, cii route for the 
enemy. The next day, it was placed in Gen. Ferrero's brigade 
(second brigade, second division, Ninth Arniy Corps). 

The march was continued. " While halting near a grist-mill 
in Brookville, we helped ourselves to meal, that was quickly 
transformed to hasty-pudding under a word from our colonel, 
who said, that ' men v/ho would not fight for their country 
should feed those that did.' The miller presented his bill for 
a hundred dollars' worth of articles taken, and was coolly told 
that he might consider that as part of his share in putting down 
the Rebellion." — Letter. 

Expectations of meeting the foe at Frederick City were disap- 
pointed, they having left the day before. 

"On Saturday, the 13th, we were close upon them; and our 
regiment was ordered out to the picket-line. The next day, the 
battle commenced at South Mountain, — about two miles ahead 
of us. Our time of trial had now come. We were ordered 
forward. Every man seemed ready for his duty. No cowardice 
was shown. Our line was formed, with rebel shells flying over 
our heads pretty lively ; and we received the praise of all who saw 
us for our coolness and order. A narrow belt of woods lay 



248 JAMES AUSTIN DRAPER. 

between us and a part of the rebel line, distant about fifty rods. 
ThrouQih this woods we charo^ed with as much noise as we could 
well make. The enemy, after firing a volley at us with little 
effect, retreated. We moved on till we met their volley again 
from a new line. The firing now became general, lasting till 
nearly nine o'clock in the evening. During the night, the enemy 
retreated. I examined their line of battle the next morning ; and, 
where they received our heaviest fire, their dead lay piled upon 
each other. I hoped never to see such a sight again. Our brave 
colonel had his arm shattered near the shoulder. He refused 
assistance in leaving the field, saying he wanted every man to 
stay and fight. . . . 

" I suppose you are ready to ask, ' Didn't you think of home 
and the dear ones when eno^as^ed in the fio^ht .f* I answer, ' No; 
not until it was all o\-er.' The excitement was so great, our work 
so severe, the anxiety to do our best so intense, that I could not 
think of what was five hundred miles away. No one of you can 
imagine how one's nerves are strained during a fight, and how 
insensible to danwr he becomes." * 

The rebels, now comprising the best part of Gen. Lee's army, 
made a determined stand at Antietam; and the morning of the 
17th September was ushered in with the roar of a fierce battle, 
nearly as bloody as any subsequently fought of the same dura- 
tion. 

The Thirty-fifth had closely followed the retreat from South 
Mountain, and, at an early hour, stood ready for the order to 
advance. 

From a letter dated after the battle, the following extracts are 
made : — 

" We were already on the march for the immediate scene of 

* Extracts from a letter dated Sept. 14, 1S62. 



JAMES AUSTIN DRAPER. 249 

action, when an officer was met, who came with orders to hurry 
up our column. We passed into a position somewhat sheltered, 
where the shot and shell of both friends and foes filled the air 
over our heads. 

" At three o'clock came the order to charge, with fixed bayo- 
nets, across a bridge that spanned the Antietam Creek. This 
was at once successfully done, under a brisk infantry-fire from 
the enemy on the opposite heights. Again a line was formed ; 
and we advanced up and over the steep hill from which the 
rebels had retreated. Here we found ourselves in perfect range 
of a rebel battery, that immediately sent a murderous fire in our 
midst, compelling us to retire over the edge of the hill. During 
this shelling, Lieut. Baldwin of Company D, and several others, 
were severely wounded; and one man of the company was killed." 
Sergeant Draper assisted one of these wounded comrades to the 
rear, and was not in the remainder of the fight. 

During the several weeks of inaction subsequent to this battle, 
while encamped at Pleasant Valley, Md., Sergeant Draper became 
somewhat restless under what appeared to him a needless delay. 
His naturally sanguine temperament demanded energetic action. 
He writes, — 

" Although it (Pleasant Valley) would be a fine place to winter 
in, yet I care not how soon we leave it, if we can only go ahead 
and fight, or do something else to finish up the war." 

Marching-orders at length came ; and, under a new leader, a 
grand movement was being prosecuted with vigor. The tramp 
through Northern Virginia had no very important features. 

On the 2ist of November, Gen. Burnside's army arrived be- 
fore Fredericksburg, Va., and encamped in the town of Fal- 
mouth, the River Rappahannock separating these two places. 

Three weeks of delay again occurred, broken on the 13th of 
December by the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg, which was 



250 JAMES AUSTIN DRAPER. 

the last in which this soldier was engaged ; and in this he was 
only in at the commencement. While charging up the hill with 
his comrades, he received a wound, which protruded the bone 
from the upper joint of the middle finger of his left hand. He 
went to the rear, and did not again enter the conflict. 

The wound was dressed by the regimental surgeon, Dr. Lin- 
coln ; and the next day he was sent with others to the hospital- 
department at Washington. 

His general health being good, and the wound being slight, 
he was allowed a furlough to visit his home. 

Returning to hospital-quarters at Mt. Pleasant, he was sent 
immediately to Convalescent Camp, at Alexandria, Va. Expo- 
sure here in unwarmed and loosely-built barracks induced a se- 
vere cold, resulting in a most painful neuralgic affection. This 
last proved beyond the control of medical and surgical aid. He 
suffered the loss of all his teeth ; and, during much of the time, 
he was also under the weakening influence of an obstinate 
diarrhoea. 

Deeming his case to be beyond their control, the surgeons 
reported him for a discharge for disability. 

His discharge-paper bears date March 28, 1863. 

Sergeant Draper had but a low regard for the efficiency of the 
corps of surgeons attached to the Convalescent Camp. He 
writes, under date of March 25, 1863, " Most of them are young, 
and without much experience; and they don't appear to care so 
much for the sick soldiers as for their own comfort. They act 
as though \\-\^ pay was the chief inducement to keep them here. 
I pity the man who is very sick, and falls into their hands." 

Of the Christian Commission he writes as follows: "It is 
the most interesting feature of the camp. The agents are young- 
men, who conduct religious services every morning and evening, 
and also three services every Sunday. I was at first prompted 



JAMES AUSTIN DRAPER. 25 I 

by curiosity to attend their meetings, and was so impressed 
with the fervor and heartiness that characterized the exercises, 
that I find now much enjoyment in being constantly present. 
On week-days, meetings are held to talk over each other's expe- 
rience, and pray for each other and the dear ones at home ; and 
many is the wet eye which may be seen at the mention of their 
names. I never attended any meetings where so much sympa- 
thy is manifested. 

" Reading-matter is plentifully supplied also by the agents, 
which serves to pass away the time, and is productive of good." 

In November, 1864, Mr. Draper again became a member of the 
army before Petersburg, Va., in the capacity of brigade wagon- 
master; in which position he remained during the three follow- 
ing months. He resides in his native town. 



William Dexter Draper. 




'REVIOUS to the outbreak of the RebelHon, it was 
a question involving not a Httle doubt, whether the 
noble spirit of patriotism, that so freely offered its 
treasure and its life-blood in establishing the prin- 
ciples of freedom in this country during the eigh- 
teenth century, still survived in sufficient vigor, 
among the young men of the present generation, 
to prompt them to make similar sacrifices when 
those principles became imperilled. But the first few months 
of actual war dispelled all uncertainty on this point, by the spon- 
taneous uprising of the great mass of our citizens, ready, with 
one mind and one heart, to respond to any and every reasonable 
call. 

Mr. Draper was among the first to give himself to the service 
of his country. His enlistment dates May 15, 1861 ; when he 
joined, as a private. Company G of the Second Infantry Regi- 
ment. In height he was five feet eight inches, with light com- 
plexion and hair, and dark eyes. He was the son of Ira B. and 
Louisa Draper; born at Wayland, Aug. 19, 1840. 

The sacrifice made of his strong and vigorous constitution, 
and the ultimate fatal result, are among the many kindred off- 
sets to the grand achievements outwrought by the war. 

On the 29th of May, he was married to Anna W. Wellington, 

252 



WILLIAM DEXTER DRAPER. 253 

by whom he had one child, born during his father's absence in 
the army. 

After two months' drilling at Camp Andrew, in West Roxbury, 
his duties with the regiment were transferred to the seat of war. 
In the important movements of taking and holding Harper's 
Ferry and Winchester, the Second moved in the advance ; and, 
when retrograde movements became necessary, it constituted the 
rear-guard. Col. Gordon, to whom it owed its excellent drill, 
when in command of the brigade, well knew he could trust his 
men of the Second ; and, when difficult work was in hand, it was 
assigned to them.* It met the enemy at Jackson and Front 
Royal in successful encounters ; and on Gen. Banks's retreat. 
May 24, 1862, it drove the enemy from Newtown, single-handed, 
in spite of his brisk artillery-fire. 

On leaving Newtown, after the main body had passed on to- 
ward Winchester, the Second was ordered to cover the retreat ; 
which was closely followed by the rebels. Two heavy attacks 
were repulsed. At a brief respite of the retreat, during the night, 
the company of Capt. Cary was detailed as skirmishers in case 
of the continued advance of the enemy. The rebel cavalry soon 
appeared, the main body of whom were kept at bay : but by a 
flank movement, effected in the darkness, a portion of the men 
on the skirmish-line was surrounded and captured ; and among 
these was William D. Draper. 

He had faithfully and enthusiastically stood in his place in 
times of danger, and untiringly performed all the laborious duties 
and forced marches with his comrades. 

We leave them now, for a time, to trace his course as a pris- 

* Col. Gordon (then a brigadier-general), under date of Dec. 11, 1862, in a letter to Gov. 
Andrew, says, " This regiment has ever been perfectly efficient and reliable. Its discipline and 
military proficiency have ever called forth the praise of its companions in arms, whether from 
its own or from sister States. It is the model in my brigade of six regiments." 



2 54 WILLIAM DEXTER DRAPER. 

oner, — the first captured of the Wayland boys. It is to be 
regretted, however, that his unwiUingness to pain his friends by 
a very minute narration of his prison-life will prevent the trans- 
mission, in this sketch, of much to indicate the living sacrifice 
he made for his country. 

He was first taken, with other prisoners (about ninety or a 
hundred in number), to Lynchburg, Va., and confined for several 
days in an open pen or cattle-yard (used for cattle-show purposes), 
with no shelter whatever. He was thence removed to the 
prison at Belle Island, where he remained until he was paroled, 
— a period of four months. 

During this time, no communication passed between him and 
his friends, who were thus left in anxious suspense as to his fate. 

His treatment while a prisoner was any thing but humane ; 
yet he never blamed those in immediate command. They, for 
the most part, seemed to pity the prisoners, and to regret their 
inability to alleviate the suffering. Very short rations, and of 
very poor quality, were the order of the day. 

He related that he saw many who died of starvation, com- 
bined with home-sickness and slight bodily diseases, which, under 
other circumstances, would have produced no serious results ; 
and perhaps a few cases in which the food issued was actually 
insufficient to support life. 

He bore his own deprivations manfully, under the resolve to 
live through them if possible, and to make the best of his fate. 

On being paroled, he was sent to camp in Alexandria, where 
he remained for two months, — until exchanged. Here he found 
himself almost a skeleton, with only an apology of dirty rags for 
clothing. Government officials must bear a stigma of reproach 
for permitting the brave defenders of the country thus to suffer 
in sight of the Capitol. What added further keenness to the 
sufferings of himself and his friends was the fact that a box of 



WILLIAM DEXTER DRAPER. 255 

ample supplies sent from his home never reached its destina- 
tion. 

About the first of January, 1863, he rejoined his regiment, 
then on the move, in Northern Virginia, and enjoyed winter- 
quarters for a short time at Stafford Court House. Here he was 
promoted to the position of corporal. 

The fatal battle of Fredericksburg, Va., had been fought under 
Gen. Burnside. Gen. Hooker (his successor) was laying his 
plans for a campaign, and concentrating his forces for effective 
use. These movements culminated, on the 2d and 3d of May, in 
the verv severe battle of Chancellorsville. In this eno^aofement 
the regiment took a prominent part. The night of May 2 was 
spent sleeplessly in line of battle. The fight began at daybreak 
by the enemy's advance. The Second Regiment constituted a 
part of the Twelfth Corps, and was formed on the right. The 
rebel lines in front of the Second were repeatedly broken by its 
charges. After nearly two hours of fighting, the men having 
fired sixty rounds each, and maintained their ground, the regi- 
ment was relieved, and passed to the rear. 

In this fight, Corporal Draper received a wound from a Minie- 
ball, that proved more severe than he at first supposed. The 
missile entered the knee, just above the patella, and came out 
behind, grazing the bone as it passed. The wound, after the 
first shock, did not prevent his hobbling to the rear without as- 
sistance. It remained uncared for by the surgeons for three days ; 
during which time inflammation had become extreme, with in- 
tense pain. How he escaped capture, and crawled for three miles, 
amid the confusion of a retreat, across the Rappahannock, was a 
mystery to him. 

He was conveyed immediately to Washington, and assigned 
to Armory-Square Hospital, where his wound first received sur- 
gical care ; but it was too late to prevent very disastrous effects. 



256 WILLIAM DEXTER DRAPER. 

The joint of the knee became so rigid as to be incapable of 
flexure, and remained so ever after. 

While at the hospital, he was prostrated by sickness, which 
proved so severe, that, on the ist of August, his friends were 
notified of the expectation of his speedy dissolution. His wife, 
accompanied by his father, hastened to his side ; and, by most 
careful nursing, he was so far restored as to be able to return 
home, borne on a litter. During four months, his strength grad- 
ually increased, and he was able to walk with the aid of crutches. 
But a fatal exposure again prostrated him ; pneumonia set in ; 
and the 19th of December, 1863, witnessed his departure from 
the external scenes of earth. His remains repose in the south 
burial-oround of his native town. 



Charles Dudley. 




f?/T ^ detailed account of this young man's experience 
ki ) as a soldier has been obtained. He was an adopted 
son of Benjamin A. and Rosalia Dudley of Way- 
land. 

In person he was of robust form and medium 
height, with dark complexion and hair; and was 
about twenty years old when he enlisted, for three 
years' service, as a private in the Twelfth Regiment 
of Infantry, June 26, 1861. 

After a service of fourteen months, in which he shared the 
vicissitudes of the regiment in all its movements, including the 
battle of Cedar Mountain, which occurred Aug. 9, 1862, he un- 
wisely sought to relieve himself from further duties as a soldier; 
and thus, most regretfully to his friends, he too thoughtlessly 
added the stigma of "deserter" to his name. The only palliative 
assigned by him for his unsoldierly course is " extremely rough 
treatment by his officers." 



Frank P. Fairbanks. 




AfD 



v^^^^i^RANK P. FAIRBANKS, the son of Windsor and 
Eliza W. Fairbanks, was born at Concord, N.H., 
July 5, 1845, In person he was five feet eight 
inches high, with brown hair, light complexion, and 
hazel eyes. His occupation was shoemaking. 

On the seventeenth day of September, 1863, he 
f ) enrolled his name as a private in Company F, Forty- 
fifth Infantry Regnnent, for nme months' service. 
He was prevented by sickness from being on duty during the 
battles in which his regiment was engaged ; and the only fight- 
ing in which he took part was a sharp skirmish at Cole Creek. 

The most vexatious part of his term of service was while "rid- 
ing at anchor on board the steamer *' Mississippi," in Boston 
harbor, during four days of a severe gale. 

Mr. Fairbanks relates a story of a negro-boy, that illustrates 
the subjection of the blacks to the spirit of fear when any un- 
usual occurrence takes place. 

Soldiers were amusing themselves with tossing the boy in a 
blanket. At the last toss, the blanket failed to sustain its load ; 
and the boy came through the rent to the ground. He had en- 
joyed the sport up to this moment; but seeing the disaster, and 
expecting severe punishment for what he could not help, he ran 



FRANK P. FAIRBANKS. 



259 



as for dear life, and could not be persuaded, for a long time, to 
trust himself in camp again, 

Mr. Fairbanks enlisted from patriotic motives, and, at the 
close of his nine-months' service, had concluded to join the 
Union army under a second enlistment; but the death of his 
father at that time prevented his plans from being executed. 

His discharge is dated July 7, 1864. 

At present he is a resident of Concord, N.H. 



Elias Whitfield Farmer. 




Richardson 



r.f^ LIAS WHITFIELD, who left his home and 
!^ friends with a character which endeared him to 
them all, and whose traits while a soldier secured 
warmest feelings of regard from his comrades, 
was the son of Solomon G. and Elizabeth A. 
Farmer. He was born at Wayland, April 2, 1845. 
He enlisted as a private in the Thirty-eightli 
Regiment of Infantry, in Company A, Capt. 
and is described as being of dark complexion and 
hair, with gray eyes, and five feet six inches tall. 

His physical constitution was never very robust, and parental 
solicitude doubted his ability to endure the hardships of a sol- 
dier's life ; but his convictions of duty were too strong to per- 
mit him to enjoy the ease and comforts of home while his friends 
and acquaintances were manfully taking the noble stand demand- 
ed by their imperilled country. His words, on taking the final 
step, were, "Somebody must go and suffer; and I am willing to 
take my part." 

Suffer, indeed, he did ; for scarcely had he joined his regiment 
before disease began its work,* and kept him from active service 
during nearly all the period of his army-life. 



* Diarrhoea, of which he died. 



EL/AS WHITFIELD FARMER. 26 1 

While at New Orleans, he was so sick as to be unable to write 
to his friends. But, during all his trials and discomforts, he never 
allowed a murmur to escape his lips ; and not a word of discon- 
tent did he ever send in his letters home. The nearest approach 
to a disquiet spirit was when, after oft-repeated disappointments 
in obtaining a furlough, he said to a friend, " If I do not have 
a furlough soon, I shall have to take one in a wooden box." 

His letters bore constant testimony of regard to his parents, 
to whom he often transmitted his dearly-earned wages. Only a 
month before his death, he sent them his last token, — sixty 
dollars. 

The only battle at which he was present was at Port Hudson ; 
and here he was too feeble to be of much service in the terrible 
assaults resulting in the capture of that place. He died at Baton 
Rouge on the last day of October, 1863; at which place his 
remains repose. 



Marshall Garfield. 




•ITH a family depending upon him for support, 
and having a son ah-eady " at the front " as a vol- 
unteer, Mr. Garfield had felt the burden of volun- 
tarily joining the army to bear on other men upon 
whom rested fewer of the responsibilities of home. 
But, when volunteer service was not available for 
filling the required quotas, the inexorable law of 
QJ conscription was resorted to ; and his name was 

returned as a drafted soldier, July i8, 1863. 

The first rendezvous was at Concord, Mass.; the Agricultu- 
ral Building being used as a guard-house. Great strictness was 
observed in keeping the conscripts from deserting. He, with 
others, was next conveyed to Long Island, in Boston harbor, 
where he remained about a month; when, with a lot of " roughs " 
from New York, he, with several comrades, was placed on board 
a transport for a Southern destination. After getting fairly out 
to sea, the roughs from New York raised a mutiny. They en- 
deavored to seize and confine the officers, with the intention of 
sailing the boat "on their own hook." But the loyal element 
was too strong for them ; and several were tied up by their 
thumbs until they were ready to yield. 

Four days terminated the passage to Washington ; and from 
thence Mr. Garfield and others were marched under guard to 



MARSHALL GARFIELD. 263 

Beverly Ford, on the Rappahannock, — about sixty miles from 
Washington, — where they were mustered into the Eighteenth 
Regiment of Infantry, Company H, Capt. Dallas. This was about 
the first of September, 1863. Near the middle of the month, 
the regiment was detached for patrol-duty at Culpeper, in Vir- 
ginia, where it remained for a month, and then returned. Dur- 
ing the return, Mr. Garfield's feet had become badly blistered 
and galled ; and frequent fording of streams, with other expo- 
sures, induced violent inflammation, which entirely disabled him 
for marching. He was sent to Mt. Pleasant Hospital, in Wash- 
ington, for treatment. Here he remained two months in good 
hands, and so far recovered as to return to his res^iment at Bev- 
erly Ford, where winter-quarters were established. 

Broke camp the first day of May, 1864, and marched through 
Culpeper, en route for Germania Ford. A day's march south of 
the Rapidan brought the regiment near the enemy's lines ; and 
breastworks were thrown up across the Stone Road, down which 
the rebels were expected to advance. 

The position of the rebels being ascertained, a line of battle 
was formed, and an advance ordered. The enemy were driven, 
and some prisoners taken ; but a flank movement of the rebel 
forces on the right, where raw troops were engaged, compelled 
a retreat, with narrow escape from capture. 

The regiment came back to its breastworks, where it was 
shelled, with some loss. The next day, while on the skirmish- 
line, several men were lost. 

On the night of the 7th, the Eighteenth was on the move all 
night, though very slow, on account of the darkness. In the 
morning, while cooking breakfast, orders were received to form 
a line of battle. 

The rebels had secured a position on Laurel Hill ; and the 
regiment was to constitute a part of the force to dislodge them. 



264 MARSHALL GARFIELD. 

While charging up the hill, Mr. Garfield was struck by a 
Minie-ball, that entered his right arm very close to the shoulder, 
tearing the flesh and muscles badly, and passing out near the 
shoulder-blade (scapula). The firing was very sharp ; and after 
he was wounded, to avoid being struck by the bullets, he lay 
down. While in this position, however, he was hit by a spent- 
ball in the left leg, which lamed him considerably, without frac- 
turing the bone. 

The rebels, being driven till they reached a line of breastworks, 
then returned the charge ; and the Union troops were compelled 
to fall back. Mr. Garfield now thought it time to get out of the 
way. His wound had bled profusely, and he was endeavoring 
to prevent it by tightly grasping it with his left hand. He moved 
a short distance, and fainted. A soldier, in passing, gave him 
some water; and he started again. The hospital was nearly a 
mile in the rear : this he reached by his own efforts, after faint- 
ing by the way twice. 

He lay there till evening ; others, more severely wounded than 
he, receiving attention first. Dr. Holbrook tenderly dressed his 
wound, and gave him such nourishment as he needed. 

The next day he was conveyed to Fredericksburg, and, after 
a day or two, to Belle Plain, where he, with others, embarked on 
a transport for Washington. 

On the way to Belle Plain in a train of army-wagons, they 
were overtaken by a terrible hail-storm : there was a general 
stampede of the teams ; and one, with its load of wounded men, 
was upset in the melee. To add still further to the day's disas- 
ters, the rear of the train was attacked by a band of guerillas, 
the teams taken away, and some of the men murdered. 

On arriving at Washington, he was assigned to Mt. Pleasant 
Hospital. His wound was now very sore and painful ; though 
he had constantly, by his own care, kept it bathed in cold water, 



MARSHALL GARFIELD. 265 

which the surgeons assured him was probably the means of 
averting the necessity of amputation. 

From here he was conveyed to University Hospital, in Balti- 
more ; where he remained under good care for three weeks, and 
was thence transferred to New York, and thence to New Haven. 
His physical system was in good condition, and the wound healed 
rapidly; but, from the muscular fractures and displacements, the 
limb was nearly useless. 

A furlough of thirty days was obtained, during which he re- 
turned home, and at the close was allowed to report at Read- 
ville for further treatment. In September, while still unable to 
use his arm effectively, he was sent, first to New Haven, thence 
to Bedlovv s Island in New- York harbor, where, for three weeks, 
he was put to work moving lumber. 

He then, with about eight hundred others (among whom were 
thirty deserters of the very worst class), embarked on board a 
transport for City Point, in Virginia. 

This was the hardest experience of the whole war. The men 
were confined to the lower deck during the whole passage. The 
rations were thrown down the hatchway, upon the floor; when 
there was a complete grab-game to see who was the best man. 

On arriving at City Point, Mr. Garfield learned that the por- 
tion of his regiment formed by recruits (the regimental term of 
service having expired) had been consolidated with the Thirty- 
second Infantry Regiment; and to this he reported at Hatcher's 
Run, just after the battle there. 

An expedition was started, early in December, to destroy the 
Weldon Railroad : the desired point was reached by a circuitous 
line of marches ; and one entire night was spent in tearing up 
and bending the rails. The whole expedition occupied six days. 
On returning, there was some skirmishing in the rear, detached 
portions of rebels following closely. After crossing the Nottaway 



266 MARSHALL GARFIELD. 

River, and halting for a while, a considerable force appeared : 
a brisk exchange of shots was the consequence ; and the enemy 
soon retired. 

The regiment built quarters near the Jerusalem Plank Road, 
for winter. 

About the first of February, it was ordered to move down the 
Weldon Railroad, and halted at Hatchers Run. Here the Sec- 
ond and Fifth Corps were in line of battle ; and a fight ensued 
for two hours. It was mostly done in a thick pine-woods. 

In what is called the Gravelly-Run fight, on the 29th of March, 
the Thirty-second took active part. A charge was first made by 
the Union lines, and a counter-charge was received : the Union 
force proved the superior; and the rebels retreated with much 
loss. 

On the next day, the enemy had thrown up a new line of 
breastworks, which were attacked successfully, the Thirty-second 
taking a foremost part. It held their works for two hours ; when, 
ammunition being exhausted, a retreat followed the charge of 
the rebels. An hour later, and the line of Union troops was 
again formed ; and, with a fresh supply of ammunition, the rebels 
were driven. Mr. Garfield thinks it the hardest day's fighting 
he had yet known. He fired over seventy rounds of cartridge 
during the day. 

The next day, the Thirty-second moved to the left to support 
Sheridan's cavalry, and was under fire a considerable time. 

The day after (April i), the whole corps moved up to connect 
with the cavalry for a grand assault, the Thirty-second being on 
the right of the corps. An advance was immediately ordered, 
and with such effect, that the whole line of the enemy was rout- 
ed, and the fate of the rebel capital made certain. 

The next day, the Thirty-second moved to the South-side 
Railroad, and captured a large number of prisoners and a train 
of cars. 



MARSHALL GARFIELD. 267 

Rapid marches were now made in pursuit of the flying foe ; 
and, on the ever-memorable ninth day of April, the whole army 
of the rebel general was powerless in the hands of their oppo- 
nents. The regiment was retained as guard until May the ist, 
when it started for Washington, which was reached in twelve 
days. 

On the first day of July, it arrived in Boston harbor; and the 
men were finally discharged, Mr. Garfield with them, at Gal- 
loupe's Island, on July 11, 1865. 

Mr. Garfield was a son of Francis and Dorcas (Stratton) Gar- 
field ; and was born in Weston, Nov. i, 1832. He was five feet 
six inches tall, light complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes ; and 
was by occupation a farmer at the time of entering the service. 

He was married to Emily Hammond of Wayland, July i, 
1850; and had three children when he joined the army. He still 
resides in Wayland. 



William Henry Garfield. 




i^ILLIAM HENRY, the son of Marshall and 
Emily (Hammond) Garfield, was born at Way- 
land, May 20, 1843. I^ stature he was five feet 
six inches, with light complexion and hair, and 
blue eyes. He was a shoe-trimmer by occupation. 
He enlisted for a term of three years, or during 
the war, in Company I, Capt. Brigham, of the 
Thirty-ninth Infantry Regiment, on the first day 
of August, 1862. It was then recruiting at Camp Stanton; from 
which place, after a month's drill, it was ordered to Washing- 
ton, D.C. 

After a few days in camp on Arlington Heights, it was assigned 
to a position near Poolsville, Md., for picket-duty along the Po- 
tomac. This was by no means a hard service ; and there was 
but little to relieve the monotony. An occasional sight of tlie 
"Johnnies," on picket across the river, gave a not very unfriend- 
ly view of the war ; while the frequent tramp from place to place 
along the Upper Potomac, in a leisurely manner, rather favored 
the inclination of some to a spirit of careless inactivity, which, 
but for the promptness of the officers, might have produced 
other and less desirable results. The first winter-quarters — 
about sixteen miles from Washington — made communication 
with home by letters very easy. 

268 



WILLIAM HENRY GARFIELD. 269 

Early in July, 1863 (after a three-months' camp in Washing- 
ton), the regiment was put upon a rapid move to North Mary- 
land, to aid in expelling Gen. Lee's army from Northern soil. 
On reaching Funkstown, Md., the foe was found to be on the 
retreat. The Thirty-ninth was now attached to the second di- 
vision of the First Army Corps, and soon joined in the pursuit of 
the rebels by crossing the Potomac at Berlin on a long pontoon- 
bridge. Rapid marching for seventy or eighty miles in Virginia, 
without meeting the enemy, brought the regiment to the Orange 
and Alexandria Railroad, at a place called Bealton Station, where 
it was allowed to remain, comparatively inactive, for a month ; 
and nothing unusual occurred until the preparations to advance 
on the rebel forces at Mine Run. Here the men of the Thirty- 
ninth were first brought under fire of the enemy, which was 
chiefly in skirmishing; and only one man was wounded. In this 
movement, by some unaccountable blunder in the commissary de- 
partment, the regiment fell short of rations ; and, for nearly three 
days, the men were obliged to subsist by foraging. Mr. Garfield 
says that every kernel of corn left scattered by the mules was 
carefully picked up by the hungry men to satisfy their appetites. 
After this, the Thirty-ninth went into winter-quarters at Mitchell's 
Station, and there remained until the following April, when 
preparations were made for the final campaign for the capture 
of the rebel army and their capital. 

After crossing the River Rapidan, at about sunset on the 4th 
of May, a halt was made on a slight eminence ; and the men 
bivouacked for the nis^ht. 

Moved at eight o'clock on the 5th; and at nine were ordered 
to the front, where the battle had begun. The regiment now 
formed a part of the first division in the Fifth Corps. Mr. Gar- 
field states that two men were killed and nine wounded in the 
regiment in this first engagement. 



270 WILLIAM HENRY GARFIELD. 

At four o'clock the next afternoon, a double-quick movement 
for four miles was accomplished. It was very hot ; and five men 
of the Thirty-ninth were prostrated by sun-stroke. 

On the 8th, which was Sunday, occurred the severe fight at 
Laurel Hill. Here the regiment lost over fifty men. Mr. Gar- 
field was struck on the ear by a bullet ; and, in a bayonet-charge, 
he barely escaped capture. 

He was so far exhausted by the heat and extreme exertions 
during this fight, that he was excused from active duty for the 
three succeeding days, during the march to Spottsylvania; but he 
kept with his regiment. For thirteen days in succession, he with 
his regiment was under fire before they moved from Spottsyl- 
vania to cross the North Anna River on the 23d of May. On 
arriving at the banks of the stream, the men were ordered to 
stack arms, and get supper : but scarcely had the order been is- 
sued, when a lively shelling from the enemy was experienced ; 
and soon a vigorous charge was made on our line, which had 
hastily formed. It was skilfully arranged on the brow of a hill, 
exposing an infantry front, with a battery in rear of the centre. 
The enemy's charge was directed chiefly to the centre, which 
broke by design, leaving the advancing foe exposed to the bat- 
teries, that opened with a destructive fire, which, with a sharp 
discharge of musketry from the right and left, completely de- 
moralized them ; and they retreated precipitately. 

For four or five days there was a succession of movements, 
bringing the regiment often into skirmishes, involving much 
labor also in throwing up breastworks. 

On the 29th, Bethesda Church was reached; and the rebel 
army was again confronted in force. The Thirty-ninth was 
here for several days on the skirmish-line, and had a share 
in brisk movements, and exposures to shelling, for some days, 
until the 5th of June; when, the enemy having vacated the front, 
the Thirty-ninth was permitted to rest a few days. 



WILLIAM HENRY GARFIELD. 



271 



June II, a considerable force of rebels was encountered, and 
engaged near White-oak Swamp ; but the regiment was silently 
withdrawn from the line in the night, and pressed on to overtake 
the main army. On the i6th, James River was crossed; and by 
a hurried march, which was continued all night, the city of Pe- 
tersburg was reached before sunrise, June 17. 

On the next day, an assault was made on the first line of 
rebel works, near the Norfolk Railroad. The men had to advance 
over a distance of near sixty rods, exposed to the fire of the 
enemy. It was a terrific encounter, but quickly done. The rebels 
did not retire until many of the assailants had mounted their 
breastworks, and actually drove them at the point of the bayonet. 
The works were held until near midnight, when the Union 
troops were ordered to retire, and build works on ground that 
was much exposed to rebel shots : so that the work was done 
chiefly in the night. 

After several days spent here, the regiment was ordered to the 
left, with other troops, to relieve the Second Corps, and, on the 
way, received a brisk shelling. 

Here the Thirty-ninth built what was then named Fort War- 
ren, but afterwards called Fort Davis in honor of Col. Davis, who 
was killed there by a shell that exploded in headquarters. 

Aug. 18 occurred the advance on the left, — to the Weldon 
Railroad. This was a severe time for our regiment; for, during 
the fight, the rebels had gained its rear, and a large number of 
our men fell into their hands. Mr. Garfield says that all but one 
of his company were in rebel hands at one time : of these, twen- 
ty-two were carried to Salisbury, eight escaped, and the remain- 
der were rescued a few moments after being captured by a rear 
movement of the main body of the regiment. He was among 
the latter number. 

The Union line was heavily assaulted several times during 



272 WILLIAM HENRY GARFIELD. 

the next day, and also on the succeeding day, but was able, 
though only by terribly hard fighting and much loss, to sustain 
all the charges of the enemy. 

The remainder of the month was spent in building forts in 
place of the earlier breastworks, with an occasional reconnois- 
sance. Among the forts built were Forts Wads worth and Du 
Chesne. 

For a few weeks in September, the Thirty-ninth camped in 
the rear to recuperate its exhausted energies. 

In November, a raid was made into North Carolina. At a 
place called Jarrett Station, the railroad was completely destroyed 
for several miles, which took a day and a night. 

The usual routine of garrison-duty now fell to the regiment, 
with an occasional respite in camp in the rear, near the Jerusa- 
lem Plank Road. 

The fight at Hatcher's Run next occurred, at which the enemy 
were driven from their works on the second charge ; but, not 
having sufficient support, " the Union line was obliged to retire, 
with one in Company I killed, and two wounded." 

Mr. Garfield was next engaged in the fight at Boynton Plank 
Road, on the 29th of March, 1865. He was on the skirmish-line 
nearly all day. The next day, a movement was made against a 
large body of the enemy farther to the left. Here, under an 
unexpected advance of the rebels, the Union line broke, and was 
barely able to effect a retreat, after losing Col. Tremlett and 
Capt. Kingsley, with Lieut. Thomas and others. 

The brilliant action at Five Forks, in which the Thirty-ninth 
took part, occurred on the first day of April. 

Gen. Warren's whole corps had been ordered forward to aid 
Gen. Sheridan at that point. The fight began about noon. The 
infantry occupied the centre; and the Thirty-ninth stood at the 
post of honor. Sheridan's cavalry-forces were on the right and 



WILLIAM HENRY GARFIELD. 273 

left, making a very long line of our troops. The charge was com- 
pletely successful. Several thousand rebel troops were captured, 
with twenty-two stands of colors. In this engagement, Mr. Gar- 
field received his second wound by a Minie-ball, tearing the flesh 
just below his right knee. 

A series of rapid movements immediately commenced under 
Gen. Sheridan,* which, in one week, brought his tired but still 
enthusiastic men in front of their enemy once more, at Appo- 
mattox Court House, — not, however, to re-enact a fierce conflict, 
but to receive as prisoners of war the entire army of Gen. Rob- 
ert E. Lee, and thus to terminate the war, greatly to the joy of 
all the Union, and not a few of the rebel troops. 

One week later, and the boys of the Thirty-ninth were march- 
ing joyfully on their way homeward. It is worthy of note, that 
this last tramp, though lightened by thoughts that their warfare 
had ended, was yet one of the hardest of the war. Not a few, 
from its effects, aided by exposures to drenching showers, were 
obliged to fall behind ; and to some, indeed, it proved to be their 
last march. 

Mr. Garfield received his discharge with his comrades at 
Readville, Mass. 

On the fifth day of December following, he was united by 
marriage with Eliza May of Woodstock, Conn. He resides at 
the present time in Wayland. 

* Gen. Warren had been superseded by Gen. Sheridan on the last day of battle for refus- 
ing to obey orders from the latter officer, who was regarded as his official inferior. 

35 



Charles William Garland. 




R. GARLAND was a native of Rochester, N.H.; 
and was born Nov. 12, 1826. He was a son of 
Richard and Mary (Heard) Garland. 

When the call for men to serve in the army 
for nine months was made, — in 1862, — Mr. Gar- 
land felt that he could be spared from his business 
and home ; and he volunteered for that term as 
a private in Company K, Forty-fourth Regiment 
of Infantry, Aug. 28, 1862. 

The regiment was then at Readville, where it 'remained in 
camp until Oct. 22. At that date, it embarked for North Carolina. 
The landing was effected four days after, at Moorhead City. 

Mr. Garland was engaged with the regiment in a skirmish at 
Smitherick's Ford, on the Williamstown Road, where two men 
were killed, and seven wounded. 

Exposure after the skirmish to dampness, during the night's 
bivouac, induced a severe attack of influenza, leaving a perma- 
nent cough, and affection of the lungs. After eight weeks' trial 
of remedies with no effectual result, the regimental surgeon ad- 
vised that he be discharged from further service, as the best way 
to save the consumptive symptoms from further encroachments. 

He was with the regiment in several of their unimjDortant 
marches in North Carolina, and finally returned home on the 

274 



CHARLES WILLIAM GARLAND. 275 

steamer " Ellen S. Terrar " during the first week of February, 
1863. 

His^discharge for disability is dated the 31st of January pre- 
vious. 

In stature Mr. Garland was five feet eleven inches and a half, 
with dark complexion, black hair, and hazel eyes ; a shoemaker 
by occupation. 

He was married to Irene Hammond, July 15, 1848. 

One of his letters, dated at Newbern, Nov. 13, 1862, contains 
the following passages : " We have just come in from a twelve- 
days' march, pretty well tired out. We have seen hard times, 
and some fighting. The first day we marched twenty miles, and 
fought two hours * in the evening, standing some of the time in 
water up to our hips, and were obliged to lie on the cold ground 
the rest of the night. Several of our men are now sick from 
these exposures. 

" During five days of our march, I had to live on eleven 
crackers. 

" As to the war, I think it had better be setded without any 
more fighting. 

" It is my opinion that the South will fight as long as the 
North can find a man to oppose them, or a dollar to spend. 

" There are men who are filling their pockets by this war, and 
they would like to have it continue. 

" I hope the people will take the whole matter out of the 
hands of the politicians, and settle it up soon." 

Mr. Garland still resides in Way land. 

* Skirmish above referred to. 



Daniel Webster Gleason. 




'HIS soldier was born at Waltham, March 22, 1826; 
the son of Amos and Mary Gleason. 

In person he was five feet eight inches high, of 
light complexion and hair, with blue eyes. 

By nature he was not endowed with those abilities 
that would enable him to fill any very important sta- 
tion ; yet such as he had he gave to his country. 
And, although some of the less pleasant duties of 
camp were sometimes assigned to him, he never complained. 

His enlistment in Company K, Capt. Crafts, in the Fifth Regi- 
ment of Infantry, bears date July 2, 1863 ; and he was mustered 
out of service in just one year from his enlistment, although 
his term was but for nine months. 

He bore a share in most of the expeditions of his regiment 
in North Carolina. In the engagements at Goldsborough and 
Whitehall he was present, and took an active part ; and also 
at the capture of the rebel fortifications at Mosely Creek, May 
22, 1864. 



276 



William Thomas Harlow. 




ILLIAM THOMAS HARLOW was born at 
Sudbury, Mass., Feb. 17, 1835. His parents were 
Thomas and Mary A. Harlow. He was married 
to Julia A. Dudley of Wayland, Dec. 10, 1854; 
and had two children (the younger of whom was 
two years old) when he entered the army. 

By his descriptive list, he was five feet eight 
inches high, dark complexion, dark hair and eyes. 
He joined the Thirty-eighth Infantry Regiment, Company A, 
Aug. 6, 1862, and shared its fortunes during its brief Maryland 
campaign, in which no unusual incident occurred to him person- 
ally. A few of his letters indicate some degree of disgust at 
soldier-life, with its deprivations and restraints ; and, while 
lying for some weeks on board a crowded transport at Fortress 
Monroe, he even intimates his willingness to leave the service 
before the expiration of his term. 

Proceeding thence to Ship Island, he found himself severely 
attacked with that frequent enemy of the soldier, chronic 
diarrhoea. He went with his comrades, however, to New Or- 
leans, where he was forced to retire for hospital-treatment. Here 
he remained, with the exception of a week's field-service, until 
near the middle of May; being detailed as nurse during the 
latter part of the time. 



277 



278 WILLIAM THOMAS HARLOW. 

His views of life in a hospital may be seen by an extract from 
a letter dated "Charity Hospital, New Orleans, May 4, 1863:" 
" To be confined here is like being in the State's prison." 
He thinks the resident surgeon decidedly wanting in humane 
feelings, and relates that a written recommendation from his 
regimental surgeon for his discharge was simply pocketed with- 
out a hearing. 

In his opinion, more men died there from home-sickness than 
from any other cause. 

At the taking of Port Hudson he was present, and took part 
in the conflict ; and though at that time he describes himself 
as dirty and ragged, and with miserable rations, yet he never 
wrote in a better or more hopeful spirit. 

Very soon after, his malady returned with increased power ; 
and he was conveyed to a hospital at Baton Rouge. Here this 
wasting form of disease gradually effected its fatal mission ; and 
on the 6th of February, 1864, far from the endearments of home, 
from the tender care of wife, and the fond caresses of children, 
he closed his earthly warfare. He was buried side by side with 
his deceased comrades of the hospital. 



Samuel Hale Mann Heard. 




Sv ' 



^^.'^-l T the President's call for an additional number of 
troops in July, 1862, there seemed no lack of zeal 
in the cause of our country's integrity. 

The young men throughout the entire North 
responded with alacrity. Mr. Heard, though 
scarcely fitted for the hard duties of a soldier's 
life, yet could not be restrained from venturing 
his health and life in the noble cause. 
He had become somewhat familiar with military drill and 
movements previous to joining the army; and on his enrolment 
in Company D, Thirty-fifth Regiment of Infantry, he received 
a corporal's warrant. The time of encampment at Lynnfield 
passed quickly and pleasantly ; and, much sooner than was antici- 
pated, native soil, home, and dear ones, were left for the seat of 
war. 

The sight of an imperilled capital, of slaves, and a slave- 
cursed territory that had produced the rebellious outbreak, with 
the preparations for war seen on every hand, gave an added 
spirit of patriotism as he tramped the soil of the foe in Virginia; 
and not even the sight of the blood-dripping ambulances pass- 
ing by the camp with their loads of mangled men could repress 
the ardor felt to aid in subjugating the proud traitors. 

When the regiment moved from camp to do its deeds of valor 



28o SAMUEL HALE MANN HEARD. 

at South Mountain and on the plains of Antietam, Mr. Heard 
was detailed to remain behind as guard over camp and baggage, 
and so did not participate in those battles. 

The subsequent quiet march to North Maryland was pleasant, 
and without incident of note. At Middletown, he met the 
wounded men from the battle-field; and on the 22d of Septem- 
ber he rejoined the regiment near Sharpsburg. 

Much to his regret, Mr. Heard found a two-months' encamp- 
ment in Pleasant Valley to have induced the development of a 
painful disease ; and he was compelled to submit to hospital-care 
and a surgical operation. And when, late in the autumn, the 
army received orders to move, he was advised by the surgeon 
to remain behind ; but stimulated by the hope that activity 
might tend to his relief, and by the promise of his comrades to 
do all in their power to make him comfortable, he took position 
in an ambulance, and started on the new campaign. 

An incident occurred during this movement, in the unex- 
pected visit of his father to the army, sent from home by the 
Soldiers' Aid Society, with kind messages to all, and a trunk of 
good things, which, owing to army-movements, could not be 
brought within reach. Deeming his son's health in such a state 
as to unfit him for soldier's duty, every effort was made by Mr. 
Heard to obtain his discharge, but without effect. The march 
continued amid storm and tempest and severe cold. At Sul- 
phur Springs occurred his first exposure to rebel missiles. The 
shelling was lively for a couple of hours. At one time, as Gen. 
Ferrero was passing the ambulance in which Mr. Heard was 
seated, a round shot ploughed the earth within a foot or two of 
his horse. The general, turning round, said coolly and facetious- 
ly, " Dodge that ball, boys." The ball dodged one of the boys 
by its ricochet movement, just clearing him as he was crawling 
under a fence. 



SAMUEL HALE MANN HEARD. 28 1 

On arriving at Falmouth, the disease becoming more active 
and painful, every effort was made to secure a discharge. Among 
his comrades, none was more active in his behalf than F. W. 
Draper,* then connected with the regimental hospital, through 
whose agency the much-wished-for paper was finally procured; 
and, on the twenty-ninth day of November (the Thanksgiving 
Day of his native State), he parted from the Army of the Potomac 
to return home, where he arrived on Sunday morning, Dec. i. 

Mr. Heard speaks of the kindness of his comrades during all 
the time of his suffering as unremitted when their opportunities 
permitted. Aside from sickness, he found army-life and the 
service of his country as pleasant as he had anticipated, and in 
some respects even more so. 

By his descriptive list, he was five feet seven inches tall, of 
dark complexion and hair, with blue eyes, and was a farmer by 
occupation. 

He was the son of William and Susan (Mann) Heard; born at 
Wayland, March 23, 1826. He was united by marriage to 
Harriet M. Sherman of Waltham on the first day of March, 
1839; and, on joining the army, he left her with four children 
to watch with anxious hearts the progress of events during the 
absence of the husband and father. 

Since his return, he has suffered much at times, not only from 
the disease,! but from the effects of a surgical operation per- 
formed while a soldier. 

He still resides in Wayland. 

* In a letter of F. W. Draper, dated Nov. 26, 1862, he writes, " This morning, I had the 
extreme satisfaction of giving to the sufferer his discharge-papers. You can imagine how he 
felt. Any thing I have done for him was amply repaid at that moment. He showed genuine 
patriotism when he left his home ; and he has certainly sacrified enough for his country. He 
has borne his sufferings and disappointments like a brave and true man." 

t A disease of the kidneys. 



Warren Alvin Hersey. 




EFORE reaching the age legally required for mili- 
tary service, we find the name of this young man 
enrolled as a volunteer soldier. It is not, however, 
claimed for him, nor, indeed, for the larger part of 
our volunteers, that pure patriotism was the sole 
motive that urged them to give up the comforts and 
quiet of home for the hardships and dangers of 
Viewed at a little distance, a military display has a 
degree of attraction for any one, and especially so for one of 
ardent temperament like Mr. Hersey. 

While in the army, he confesses to have had times when he 
would gladly have escaped the obligations of a soldier, could he 
have done so with honor ; but, now that it is all seen in retrospect, 
he is happy that he gave his service thus to his country in her 
time of need. 

Mr. Hersey was a son of Ebenezer and Sarah O. (Dudley) 
Hersey; born in Wayland, Jan. 28, 1845. He was five feet four 
inches and a half tall, dark hair and complexion, with hazel 
eyes; a shoemaker by occupation. His form was quite slender, 
but sinewy, and quick in movement. 

He enlisted in July, 1862, as a private in Company A, Capt. 
Richardson, of the Thirty-eighth Regiment of Infantry; which 



WARREN ALVIN HERSEY. 283 

left the State for the hostile ground Aug. 24, its first destiny- 
being Camp Belger, near Baltimore, Md. 

The " start out " to repel an expected invasion (which did not 
appear) was the only break upon the ordinary routine of camp 
and guard duty while at this post. 

About the middle of November, the regiment took a pleasant 
trip on the steamer " Baltic " down the beautiful Chesapeake to 
Fortress Monroe, meeting there a large fleet, to which it was 
joined for a more southern destination. 

After a few weeks' detention, the whole fleet steamed out of 
Hampton Roads, presenting a most magnificent sight, and, al- 
though separated by a severe storm on the voyage, met in ren- 
dezvous again at Ship Island, and thence proceeded to New 
Orleans. The Thirty-eighth landed near that city on the first 
day of January, 1863. Here it remained until the 6th of March, 
excepting a fruitless expedition by boat about sixty miles up the 
river. A mild climate, and plenty of good rations, with light 
duty, mark the first winter-quarters as a bright spot in his 
army-career. 

At the last-named date the regiment steamed up the river, 
and landed two days after at Baton Rouge, and then marched 
to Port Hudson. 

Our soldier-boy was hardly equal to the demands made 
upon him by this march ; and under an attack of that scour- 
ging sickness of the army while in southern climates, of which 
two of his Wayland comrades in the regiment died,* he fell out 
of the ranks, and, while a short distance in the rear, was taken 
prisoner, with one other in a similar condition, by a squad of 
rebel scouts. 

At the end of three weeks he was paroled, and sent to New 

* Farmer and Harlow. 



284 WARREN ALVIN HERSEY. 

Orleans. During this time he was well treated, except that, 
being confined to hasty-pudding and molasses for rations, his 
health was by no means improved. From New Orleans, he, 
with about five hundred other paroled prisoners, was sent to 
Ship Island to await their time for exchange. The hot summer 
months on this island of glaring sand could hardly be called 
pleasant or comfortable ; and Mr. Hersey was glad to have the 
intelligence of being exchanged, and ordered to report to his 
regiment, then at Baton Rouge, where he arrived late in Sep- 
tember. 

The following winter (1863-4) was spent near Baton Rouge, 
Company A doing provost-guard duty in the city ; and, as no 
exciting events occurred in the vicinity to arouse our boys 
to action, many of them, and their officers too, became some- 
what " demoralized." 

The Red-river expedition had been planned by Major-Gen. 
Banks ; and on the 23d of March the Thirty-eighth took pas- 
sage on a steamer for Alexandria, — a town on Red River, about 
seventy-five miles from its junction with the Mississippi. Here 
it encamped for about three weeks, and then was ordered to 
move up the river. A large party of guerillas lay in wait on 
the way, and, from their concealed position, poured a volley into 
the crowd on deck, killing one man, and wounding several 
others. Their fire was soon returned with such effect as to 
scatter them. 

A week or more was spent in building breastworks at a place 
called Grand Ecore ; and then, by a forced march of forty miles 
in twenty-four hours, the enemy were encountered at Cane River. 
This march was terribly severe upon the men; and, under short 
rations, they were in poor condition for fighting. The rebels 
were strongly posted on elevated ground the opposite side of 
the stream. The regiment, with others, crossed higher up the 



WARREN ALVIN HERSEY. 285 

river, and was sent on as skirmishers. The engagement con- 
tinued for two hours, when the rebels were driven, and closely 
followed, until they took position again on a hill covered with 
wood. They were again charged, repulsed, and scattered. 

The march was then resumed down the river for Alexandria ; 
the Thirty-eighth forming the rear-guard, which compelled them 
to several brisk skirmishes with detached rebel forces. 

At Alexandria, the cause of the hurried movement home- 
ward and of the failure of the expedition was clearly seen. 
The waters of the Red River had so far subsided as to leave the 
boats aground. Brisk work was now demanded in erecting a 
dam below the rapids, in order that the boats could be floated 
down to the Mississippi ; otherwise they would be at the mercy 
of the rebels supposed to be concentrating in that region. 

That object accomplished, the march was resumed, with daily 
skirmishes during five days ; when a heavy force of infantry and 
artillery was encountered, compelling an engagement. The line 
of battle was formed before sunrise on the i6th; and the rebels 
were driven from their position, after fighting several hours. 
Five days more of marching brought the regiment to the Mis- 
sissippi River, at a place called Morganza, where the troops 
went into camp until July 3 ; when they gladly embarked for 
New Orleans, and the next day were landed opposite that city, 
at Algiers. Here the men were paid off; and, for three weeks, 
high living was the order of both privates and their officers. 

Orders now came to proceed by transports to Hampton 
Roads, and thence to Washington, D.C. ; where, after a very 
pleasant voyage, the regiment arrived on the 30th of July. 

It now appeared that the destination of the Thirty-eighth 
was to co-operate with Gen. Sheridan in expelling the rebel 
forces from the Shenandoah Valley. After encamping for two 
days at Georgetown, the regiment proceeded northward into 



286 WARREN ALVIN HERSEY. 

Maryland. At Monocacy, other troops were joined ; and all 
moved to Harper's Ferry. 

The Sixth, Eighth, and Nineteenth Corps, having now been 
concentrated at Hallstown, Va., Gen. Sheridan in command, 
was ready to advance. The dashing military genius of that 
officer had been fully established ; and, consequently, the soldiers 
anticipated lively times. 

The first movement was on Winchester, Aug. 1 1 ; from which 
the rebels were expelled with only brisk skirmishing. Then 
taking a position behind breastworks, which were thrown up 
near Charlestown, Sheridan's troops, in turn, were obliged to fall 
back to their old position at Hallstown. 

On the third day of September, the regiment marched to Berry- 
ville, and engaged the enemy in a brisk fight of nearly two 
hours, compelling him to retire. From this to the 19th, there 
was skirmishing every day, as movements were made from place 
to place ; sometimes driving, and at others being driven by, the 
enemy. 

Among the points which the rebels held and fortified was 
Fisher's Hill, about twenty-five miles south-west from Winches- 
ter. Against this point, Sheridan's forces were found massed 
on the 20th September, when a line was formed, and breastworks 
constructed within rifle-shot of the rebel works. On the 2 2d, late 
in the afternoon, an advance was ordered ; a flanking position 
having been gained by the Eighth Corps. Hard fighting was 
expected ; but the flank movement accomplished the object, and 
the rebels fled precipitately. After a brisk cannonading and 
musketry-fire of fifteen or twenty minutes, which did but little 
damage, — most of the shots overreaching the columns as they 
charged up the steep sides of the rocky hill, — our forces then 
advanced southwardly as far as Harrisonburg, and camped 
there until Oct. 6, when a return was ordered. 



WARREN ALVIN HERSEY. ■ 287 

Two days of brisk marching brought the troops to Cedar 
Hill, fifteen miles south-west of Winchester. Here breastworks 
were erected under expectations of an attack. On the morning 
of Oct. 19, the Eighth Corps, forming the first line, was sur- 
prised ; and a panic was the result. The second line, in which 
was the Thirty-eighth, was soon in readiness. The rebels came 
pouring on with a terrible fire of cannon and rifles, to which 
the regiment was greatly exposed. The destruction was awful. 
The second line broke in confusion, and retreated about three 
miles, losing nearly all the artillery. At this junction came Gen. 
Sheridan, riding at a furious rate, bareheaded, " swearing furi- 
ously at the officers, and encouraging the men to form," assuring 
them that they could recover the lost ground. The effect was 
like magic. The tide was immediately turned ; and before night- 
fall a Union victory placed his men in their breastworks again 
on Cedar Hill, with all their cannon retaken, and many of the 
enemy's added. 

Late in November, quarters were established at Camp Russell, 
near Winchester ; and, expecting to winter there, nice huts were 
built accordingly. There was much disappointment, and some 
hard words ; when, just after their completion, orders were 
received to march to Winchester as provost-guard. After a 
month's stay here, the regiment was ordered to Baltimore, which 
was reached on the 6th of January, 1865. 

One week later, and it was steaming down the Chesapeake, 
on its way to Savannah in Georgia ; where, after a very rough 
voyage of six days, it arrived and landed. Service here was in 
garrison for the defence of that city until March 5, when an- 
other embarkation ensued, and the troops were landed at More- 
head City, under orders to proceed to Kinston to the relief of 
Union forces there; but, having gone as far as Nevvbern, the 
order was countermanded. 



28S WARREN ALVIN HERSEY. 

The regiment remained at Morehead City for a short time, 
and then went to Goldsborough as guard of that town until May. 
It then returned to Morehead. Two days after this, the Thirty- 
eighth again embarked for another trip to Savannah ; where it 
staid in camp till the last day of June, and then left for home 
by steam-transports. The regiment arrived in Boston harbor 
on the 5th of July, and landed on Galloupe's Island. On the 
13th the men received their discharge, after three years (a few 
days only lacking) of service, — much of it as severe as that 
which fell to the lot of their associate regiments in this memo- 
rable war. 



William Kingston Hills. 




UT few particulars are obtained of the army-experi- 
ence of this soldier, a son of William H. and Debo- 
rah Hills. He was born at Boston, July 13, 1842. 

His descriptive list shows him to have been five 
feet eleven inches tall, of light complexion and hair, 
with blue eyes ; and that he enlisted as a private 
for nine months in the Forty-fifth Regiment of In- 
fantry, Company F, on the 17th of September, 1862. 
His discharge bears the same date as that of his comrades of 
the regiment, July 8, 1863. At the time of his enlistment, he 
was employed as a brakeman on steam-cars. 

Mr. Hills confesses to have had but little military enthusiasm, 
and, from his point of view, saw but little to admire or commend 
in the official movers during his nine-months' service in the ter- 
ritory of North Carolina. He was with his regiment, and was 
engaged at the battle of Whitehall and in other important 
movements ; but, by reason of indisposition, he did not share in 
the exposures of other engagements with the enemy. 

His younger brother, Albert White Hills, served during six 
months of the winter of 1862-3 as a nurse in the Columbia- 
college Hospital at Washington, D.C., then under care of Sur- 
geon Crosby. 



37 



289 



Luther Dow Holmes. 




NDER a failure to procure from this soldier any 
facts in his army-experience, the sketch which fol- 
lows has been arranged from such other sources 
of information as were within reach. 

He was a native of Brighton, Mass., son of Da- 
vid and Lucy Holmes; born March 2, 1835. 

With a robust form, five feet five inches and a 
half tall, light hair and complexion, and gray eyes, 
he seemed formed for much endurance. His occupation was 
butchering. 

His first enlistment was for three months, in Nims's Light 
Battery. Here he served as a private from May 18, 1 861, to 
Aug. 2 following, in the State of Maryland. 

July 31, 1862, he again entered the service as a private in 
Company D, Thirty-fifth Regiment of Infantry; and was dis- 
charged for disability, Oct. 19, 1863. 

He accompanied his regiment to the heights opposite Wash- 
ington, and was detailed as guard over camp-equipage while his 
comrades passed through their first two battles at South Moun- 
tain and Antietam. 

At Fredericksburg he was detailed as company cook, and was 
not in the fight at that place. He was with his comrades in 



LUTHER DOW HOLMES. 29 1 

their career in Kentucky, and accompanied the expedition to 
Jackson, Miss. 

Returning from that campaign, he was taken sick, and spent 
the remainder of his time at Camp Denison, near Cincinnati, O. 

Mr. Hohiies possessed some pecuHarities which subjected him 
occasionally to rather hard jokes from his comrades. He had a 
remarkable fondness for pets ; and the appearance of a large tom- 
cat taken with him as a special chum, and always seen sitting 
on his knapsack during a march, gave to the owner a distinctive 
prominence. 

On the disappearance of pussy in the Western campaign, he 
transferred his personal regards to a raccoon, that he kept for 
some time after his return home. 

Although by no means deficient in personal bravery, Mr. 
Holmes was regarded by some of his comrades as not particu- 
larly sensitive to the influence of military fame ; and that to take 
things easy while in the army was to some extent his ruling 
principle. 

He was married to Susan Frye of North Andover, June 6, 
1869. 



William Henry Jameson. 




EGARDING duty to his country as among the es- 
sential elements of a true manhood, the President's 
call for more troops to carry on the war, in July, 
» 1862, found Mr. Jameson ready to join with others 
in a cheerful response ; and on the 8th of August 
he became a soldier in Company D, Thirty-fifth In- 
fantry Regiment. 
^' /' ^ In stature he was five feet six inches and a half, 
having a light complexion, light hair, and gray eyes. He was a 
shoemaker by occupation. 

He was the son of Stephen and Sarah (Whipple) Jameson ; 
born at Wayland, Jan. 12, 1844. 

He entered with the ardor of youth into all the preparatory 
duties of camp, and left with his regiment for the fields of mili- 
tary valor in full hope of aiding in the subjugation of rebel 
power. Doubtless, also, the usual motives of a desire to see the 
world in other aspects than those of his home had their effect 
on his mind ; and the moving panorama of the eventful times 
gave also added impetus to his patriotic desires. 

The easy camp-duties on Arlington Heights, where the sight 
of war-stained veterans showed him the rougher effects on men 
who had seen service, and the marches from thence through 
the State of Maryland to meet the foe, then j^ushing their way 



WILLIAM HENRY JAMESON. 293 

across the northern part of that State, need no detailed descrip- 
tion. 

Unprepared as were the boys of the Thirty-fifth by any prac- 
tical knowledge of tactics, their commander, Col. Wild, trusting 
to their valor, rushed them into actual conflict with the foe at 
South Mountain on the 13th of September. 

In this battle, Mr. Jameson bore his part, from beginning to 
end, without flinching, and came out all right. 

This battle was soon followed by the yet more terrific one, four 
days after, at Antietam. The columns moving to the charge 
under brisk fire, the quick movement across the bridge, the 
deploy to the right, the rush up the steep hill to its summit, the 
repulsing storm of shot and shell from rebel batteries, the falling 
back over the brow of the hill, constitute the first part of the 
action in which our soldier took part on that day. The second 
part was scarcely less trying. Moving now to the left, an ad- 
vance was ordered in the face of a heavy infantry-fire. Reaching 
a slight protection, an hour or more was spent in a very lively 
exchange of shots ; after which, being out of ammunition, a re- 
treat became necessary, which proved more destructive than the 
advance, the enemy's bullets striking thickly all around, kill- 
ing many, and wounding more. In this battle, Mr. Jameson 
escaped also unhurt. 

On the following day, while endeavoring to draw a charge 
preparatory to cleaning his musket, it accidentally discharged 
its contents, tearing the flesh from between the thumb and fore- 
finger of his right hand as he held the ramrod six or eight inches 
from the muzzle. 

The wound was hastily dressed ; and he was immediately sent 
to Alexandria for hospital-care in St. Paul's Church. Here he 
remained, under good treatment, until his discharge for disability 
was deemed advisable; which he received Nov. 13, 1862. 



294 WILLIAM HENRY JAMESON. 

A year's stay at home entirely recruited him ; and he again 
felt impelled to give his country such further service as might 
lie in his power. Accordingly, on the first day of December, 
1863, he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-ninth Infantry Regiment 
(Company A). But here, again, he was disapppointed ; for 
scarcely had he landed at Alexandria, Va., when he was taken 
sick with fever, and conveyed to a hospital in Washington. 

On his partial recovery, he was detailed as ward-master in the 
hospital ; in which service he continued till the close of the war. 
His second discharge is dated June 14, 1865. His health was 
then in not very sound condition ; but he found restoratives in 
the pure air and home-treatment of his native place, where he 
now resides. 



William Alfred Jessop. 




;|N the War of the RebelHon, Mr. Jessop's first miHtary 
service was rendered as a private in Company K, Capt. 
Reynolds, of the Forty-fourth Regiment of Infantry, 
which he entered, by enHstment, Sept. 17, 1862. 

He was a native of Boston, Mass. ; a son of Joseph 
H. and Mary Ann (Jones) Jessop ; born Dec. 4, 1832. 
In stature he was five feet two inches, of Hght com- 
plexion, with blue eyes and light hair. He was a 
farmer by occupation. 

During his stay with the regiment at Readville, nothing of 
special importance occurred. His sinewy limbs and working- 
habits found employment, besides the drill routine, in such work 
as sinking wells, &c. 

A pleasant voyage on the steamer" Merrimack " brought him 
and his comrades to the shores of North Carolina, where they 
landed at the thriftless place called Morehead City, on the 26th 
of October, during a chilling rain-storm. The hard floors of an 
old machine-shop constituted their hospitable beds for the first 
night ; and the next day they went into camp at Newbern. 

After about one week's stay at this place, the expedition to 
Tarborough called our soldier, with his comrades, into active 
service, and face to face with the enemy. Skirmishes were the 
order of each day as they moved into the interior, yet without 



296 WILLIAM ALFRED JESS OP. 

serious loss, only two men of the regiment being killed ; a few 
shots from Union batteries being always found sufficient to dis- 
perse the rebels when they gathered in much force. Among 
the sly tricks of annoyance practised by them was the sudden 
inundation of camp, one night, by their tearing down the dam 
of a saw-mill. A lively time among the boys was the conse- 
quence. The return from this first expedition found the men 
considerably exhausted and badly foot-sore. 

A month of camp-duty near Newbern now occurred, during 
which the men were employed in building barracks. While 
cutting timber about three miles from camp, Mr. Jessop had a 
narrow escape of life from a falling tree, by which he was struck, 
and disabled for several days. 

On starting for the Goldsborough expedition, Mr. Jessop (who 
was found to be an excellent axe-man) was detailed as pioneer. 
This service, as is well known, both in the advance and retreat of 
an army, has its extreme hardships of toil, as well as its peculiar 
exposures to the bullets of sharpshooters. Of this latter class, 
while on the expedition, five men were discovered secreted in a 
tree nearly covered with moss ; and our soldier was one that 
helped fell that tree to the ground with its nest of hapless men. 

No one exposed to death-dealing missiles from the guns'of an 
enemy can tell how narrow the escapes by which his life is spared. 
Sufficiently near to be startling, however, was the time when Mr. 
Jessop and a comrade were engaged in felling a tree, and that 
comrade was shot dead. 

One of the interesting incidents witnessed by Mr. Jessop was 
the burning of several gunboats in process of building by the 
rebels across the river. This feat was accomplished by two boys 
of a Connecticut regiment, who, being expert swimmers, crossed 
the river unobserved by the rebels, swimming a considerable 
part of the way under water. 



WILLIAM ALFRED JESSOP. 297 

The main object of this expedition being to destroy the rail- 
road bridge over the Neuse at Goldsborough, this duty, of 
course, fell upon the pioneers ; and, while the fighting was going 
on, they were busy tearing up rails, running cars off the track, 
and tarring the bridge-timbers for their more speedy and 
effectual destruction by fire. Before the rear-guard was with- 
drawn, a vio^orous charsye of about four thousand rebels was 
made on them three times ; but Belger's Battery was double- 
shotted, and laid them in heaps until they finally desisted. As 
a singular instance of the effects of one shot, Mr. Jessop men- 
tions, that, as a column was advancing (four men deep), a single 
ball from a rebel cannon struck a file of men, and instantly killed 
them all. On returning across the contested route of the ad- 
vance, where ten or twelve of the killed had been buried, it was 
found that the bodies had been disinterred by the rebels, stripped 
of their clothing, and left unburied. 

Mr. Jessop next accompanied a detachment sent thirty miles 
into the country to destroy a quantity of provisions and other 
stores, which was successfully accomplished, and without loss. 

The siege of Little Washington was the next place of active 
service ; where the men were kept in snug quarters by the rebel 
eenerals Hill and Garnett for six weeks, with the usual accom- 
paniments of siege operations. All communication from their 
source of supplies being cut off, the Union troops were reduced 
to very short rations. Four days of this time, Mr. Jessop was 
under surgeon's care, suffering from a severe blow on the head 
by a falling timber. 

During the siege. Gen. Hill sent word to Gen. Foster, that, if 
he would allow the unarmed citizens to leave town, he would 
then try his strength in earnest. The siege was happily relieved, 
April 15, by re-enforcements sent up the river in boats, that de- 
fiantly, and at very great risk, passed the rebel batteries along 
its shores. 

38 



298 WILLIAM ALFRED JESSOP. 

Just after the siege, Mr. Jessop, with four others, went out 
about five miles to forage. Coming to a fine-looking house, they 
were invited in, with seeming hospitality, to partake at a well-set 
table of refreshments ; a pretty daughter of the family serving 
the famished soldiers. While eating, one of the party caught 
sight of several rebel soldiers making a reconnoissance upon 
these hospitable quarters ; whereat no time was lost in making 
good a retreat to a somewhat safer position. 

From the time of its return to Newbern, the regiment was 
stationed there as provost-guard until its return to the old camp- 
ing-ground at Readville, at the expiration of its term of service. 

Mr, Jessop, though the army-service was much harder than 
he expected to find it, was not deterred from a re-enlistment 
when the service of " one-hundred-days' men " was called for. 
This term he served in Company K, Forty-second Regiment of 
Infantry, in and near Alexandria, Va. 

At this time, Mosby s guerillas were in that vicinity ; and fre- 
quent skirmishes were the result. On one occasion, Mr. Jessop 
and comrades had a narrow escape on board cars that were fired 
into by the rebels. As a protection on the next excursion (going 
out to get timber for barracks), a number of rebel prisoners were 
tied to the cars, who thus became shields to our men. 

The hardest march of our soldier's life was from Alexandria 
to Great Falls, a distance of twenty-seven miles, accomplished 
during the hours of one night. 

Mr. Jessop was promoted to the position of corporal during 
the latter part of his term of service. 

At present, he is a resident in Wayland. 



George Gilbert Kemp. 



(i? 



riT'o 



ifiill^ 



e^< 







% 




^lypl^lEORGE GILBERT, son of Ezekiel and Mary 
fl (*fly'M'f^^v E, (Morey) Kemp, was born at Hopkinton, Mass., 
April 2, 1834. 

In stature he was five feet eight inches, hav- 
ing a dark complexion, with black hair and blue 
eyes. He was married to Abbie M. Loker of 
Wayland, Feb. 27, 1859, and had one child, when 
the perilous condition of the country called upon 
the citizens enrolled for duty to leave the comforts of home, and 
intrust the care of their loved ones to others, while they went to 
the defence of national honor and to the subjugation of a rebel- 
lious faction. 

Mr. Kemp responded to the call, and enlisted for nine months 
in the Forty-fourth Infantry Regiment (Company K, Capt. Rey- 
nolds) on the seventeenth day of September, 1862; and he 
continued a member of his regiment until the expiration of the 
term of service, without being off duty for a day. 

The regiment was drilled for a month at Readville ; and then, 
on the twenty-second day of October, it embarked on board the 
steamer " Merrimack " in Boston harbor, and, after a pleasant 
voyage of four days, arrived at its destination in North Carolina. 
Mr. Kemp was soon after detailed as a carpenter to erect bar- 
racks, which occupied several weeks. He was with the regiment 



30D 



GEORGE GILBERT KEMP. 



in the Goldsborough expedition, and took part in the fighting 
at Kinston and Whitehall on the 14th and i6th of December. 
Kinston he describes as a very handsomely-built town, of about 
four thousand inhabitants ; although the rebel portion of them 
had retired to more acceptable quarters during the presence of 
the Union troops. At Whitehall the firing was briskly kept up 
for several hours across the river, resulting in a loss of eight 
killed and fourteen wounded in the regiment. At Goldsborough 
the Forty-fourth was held in reserve, while other troops effected 
the destruction of the railroad. 

About the first of February, 1863, the regiment marched rap- 
idly on Plymouth, where a large amount of stores and provisions 
were destroyed, and then returned to Newbern, doing guard and 
picket duty. 

About the middle of March it was ordered to Washington, 
N.C., — a place at the head of Pamlico Sound, about forty miles 
distant from Newbern. Other troops came also, amounting in 
all to eleven hundred and sixty men, under command of Gen. 
Foster in person. The United-States gunboat " Commodore 
Hull " lay in front of the town. Thus situated, a siege was com- 
menced on the 30th of March by a rebel force of about fifteen 
thousand men. Breastworks and other means of defence were 
built; and until the i6th of April, when the enemy retired. Gen. 
Foster's little band was exposed to a daily shelling. It was a 
trying time for the last few days, when the alternative seemed to 
be drawing near, — to offer terms of capitulation, or starve in the 
garrison. But great was the rejoicing when the enemy were seen 
to raise the siege. Their works were then remodelled for de- 
fence against a further attack from land-forces ; and the regiment 
soon after left for Newbern, and was there stationed as provost- 
guard until June 6, when it embarked for Boston. Its members 
were discharged at Readville, June 18, 1863. 



GEORGE GILBERT KEMP. 3OI 

Mr. Kemp speaks in the highest terms of the officers of his 
regiment, — humane, and careful of the lives and comfort of 
their men, yet brave and firm in the hours of peril. 

He found the negroes ever ready to do all in their power to aid 
the Union troops; and were even more faithful to trusts com- 
mitted to them than the average of whites under similar circum- 
stances. About a hundred of them were organized in the de- 
fence of Washington, and worked in exposed situations with a 
commendable degree of bravery and persistence, giving good 
proof of their soldierly qualities and patriotic spirit. 

Mr. Kemp regarded the war, on the whole, as a great good ; 
and is sincerely glad to have aided the consummation by his 
personal presence in the army as a soldier. 

He is still a resident citizen of Wayland. 



Albert Franklin King. 




T must always stand very much to the credit of our 
young men, after deducting all that may be said of 
the enticements of military parade, the allurements 
of novelty, and the blandishments of anticipated 
heroic achievements, that so many of them gave them- 
selves to the work of war under the strong conviction 
^ of duty to their country. 

Mr. King was of this class. He saw that some- 
body must respond to the call for more troops; and on the ist 
of August, 1862, he enlisted for three years, or during the war, 
as a private in Company I, of the Thirty-ninth Regiment of In- 
fantry. 

■ He was a son of Benjamin F. and Eunice (Dunton) King; 
and was born in Sudbury, Mass., March 11, 1844. At the time 
of his enlistment, his occupation was shoemaking. His height 
was five feet seven and a half inches, having a light complexion, 
light hair, and blue eyes. The camping-ground at Lynnfield, 
where he first joined his regiment, was soon exchanged for that 
at Boxford ; and at both there was but little room for sober 
reflection amid military duties, the calls of friends, and busy 
preparations for a departure to the seat of war. 

Leaving Boston, Sept. 6, for Washington, the regiment reached 
that place at four, p.m., Sept. 8. 



ALBERT FRANKLIN KING. 303 

The march was taken up the next day across Long Bridge to 
an encampment on the Virginia side of the Potomac, which was 
soon left for a series of tramps in the State of Maryland. 

While out on picket-duty on the banks of the Potomac, Mr. 
King, with two of his comrades, visited the hostile soil of Vir- 
ginia by stealthily fording the river. 

Stewart's cavalry were busy making raids into Maryland ; and 
their incursions were frequently magnified so as to test the 
pluck of the Union boys to some extent, as they were marched 
hither and thither, expecting at every turn to confront some of 
the enemy. 

The nearest approach to actual contact seems to have been 
at Conrad's Ferry, on the 8th of October ; but the sly rebels neg- 
lected the opportunity to have a meeting by recrossing the 
river. 

While on picket-duty at Muddy Branch, report came that an 
old man from Massachusetts was in camp, and wanted to see 
the Wayland boys. Speculations as to who he could be were 
useless ; and it was a pleasant surprise, on coming in sight, to 
observe the well-known form of a citizen of Wayland. 

The winter-months began to develop Mr. King's incapacity 
long to endure the life of an active soldier. Heart-disease 
seemed ripening into serious consequences ; but he continued 
with his comrades, in hope of a favorable turn during the warmer 
season of a warm climate. 

There was hearty cheering when news came to break camp 
on a march toward Washington ; for the winter-quarters had 
proved detrimental to the health of many of the soldiers besides 
Mr. King. 

By the middle of June, it became evident to the army medical- 
department that Mr. King's case of disease would entirely unfit 
him for field-service ; and he was accordingly discharged for dis- 



304 ALBERT FRANKLIN KJNG. 

ability on the twenty-fifth day of June, 1863, and soon after 
returned home. 

He speaks in high terms of most of the officers ; though such 
exceptions occurred as the confiscating, under general orders, of 
the private soldier's whiskey-bottles, and appropriating their con- 
tents with such effect as to produce the utmost disgust on the 
minds of the temperate portion of the regiment. 

The only unofficer-like conduct of Col. Davis was his venturing 
to disobey an order to proceed at once on a reconnoissance with 
his regiment while in Maryland. The prudent colonel sent, in- 
stead of a reconnoissance in force, a trusty orderly, who reported 
a battery-force of the enemy in such position as would send de- 
struction into the ranks of any advancing column. The colonel's 
disobedience won for him a higher degree of respect from his 
command. 

Mr. King was united by marriage with Emily E. French of 
Wayland on the 15th of February, 1865; and is still a resident 
of the town. 



Edward Isaac Loker. 







HE subject of this brief notice was a son of Charles 
and Zuriah Loker; born at Wayland, April 22, 
1842. He was considered, both by himself and his 
parents, as unfit for army-service ; and hence, not 
choosing to volunteer, he was drafted, July 18, 1863, 
and assigned to Company H, Eighteenth Regiment 
of Infantry. He reported for duty Aug. 5 follow- 



The regiment soon after was put through a series of rapid 
marches in Northern Virginia, during one of which he became 
overpowered with fatigue, fell behind, and was captured. He 
was first confined at Belle Isle : while here, he sent a brief note 
to his parents, announcing his fate, and saying he was well. 
Nothing more was heard of him, until, at the close of the war, 
his death was reported as having taken place at Andersonville, 
Ga., April 10, 1864. His grave was marked as No. 480. 



39 



305 



William Lovejoy. 




J^-^^!:J^^/M PRESS ED with the importance of preserving the 
vital principles of justice and human rights in our 
government, which were so seriously threatened by 
the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Lovejoy could not 
forbear lending his personal aid in the military ser- 
vice. 

He accordingly enlisted, July 14, 1864, as a private 
in Company K of the Forty-second Infantry Regi- 
ment. In this organization he continued for nearly four months ; 
being on duty in the defences of Washington, and near Alexan- 
dria, Va. He was called into no engagement with the enemy; 
and he regards the incidents in his experience of too trivial a 
character to be placed on record. 

Mr. Lovejoy was the son of Kimball and Sarah A. Lovejoy ; 
born in Boston, June 21, 1836. He was five feet five inches in 
stature, dark complexion, with eyes and hair black, and an engi- 
neer by occupation. He was united by marriage with Anna M. 
Bent of Wayland. 

He was honorably discharged, Nov. 1 1, 1864, from a war which 
he regards as a necessarv link in the achievements of this gene- 
ration toward universal liberty. 



Charles Henry May. 




&HARLES HENRY MAY was a native of Con- 
I G cord, Vt; and was born Jan. 30, 1837. His parents 
were James and Fidelia May. 

With an ardent love of his country, whose peace 
had been disturbed by the rebellious spirit at the 
South, and with a sense of duty that seemed im- 
peratively to demand his services in quelling that 
spirit, he early took the resolve to volunteer as a 
soldier; and on the second day of July, 1861, his name is found 
enrolled as a private in Company B, Sixteenth Regiment of In- 
fantry, then recruiting at Camp Cameron, in Cambridge, under 
Col. Powell T. Wyman, Mr. May was five feet eleven and three- 
quarters inches tall, light complexion, brown hair, blue eyes ; a 
bootmaker by trade. 

The six weeks of camp-duty, although filled with daily inci- 
dents, impressing each soldier with their seeming importance, 
are now regarded as unworthy of even a passing notice. Col. 
Wyman was found then, as he ever after proved himself, to be 
a thorough military man, brave and efficient in every branch of 
tactics.* Chaplain Fuller here began his most beneficent and 
sympathetic regard for the men of his regiment by supplying 



* Col. Wyman was killed instantly in the battle at Glendale, June 30, 1862. 

307 



o 



08 CHARLES HENRY MAY. 



them with greater facilities for improvement than usually fall to 
the lot of soldiers, and which he continued to bestow while his 
life continued.* 

Mr. May left the State with his comrades, Aug. 17; and, for 
the three succeeding weeks, was posted at Baltimore, forming 
part of the garrison of Fort McClellan. The city of Baltimore 
was at this time in a semi-rebellious state; and Union soldiers 
who appeared on its streets, singly or in squads, were subjects of 
constant derision and insult, which often resulted in scenes of 
violent outbreak. 

The next post of duty was at Camp Hamilton, Fortress Mon- 
roe, which constituted the first winter-quarters of the regiment. 
So far as the enemy was concerned, nothing of importance oc- 
curred. A few times only did they make their appearance in 
numbers sufficient to call our troops into line ; yet these first 
summonses of the long-roll, in expectation of a fight, will never 
be forgotten for the thrill of excitement produced. 

A wide-awake soldier will not allow a winter's encampment to 
pass without some occurrence beyond the usual routine ; some- 
times even at the risk of unsoldierly conduct. Of this nature 
the following may suffice as a sample, in which Mr. May took the 
leading part. Having satisfied himself that an old rebel farmer, 
some two miles from camp, had more pigs than were requisite 
for the support of himself and family, and having a fancy, more- 
over, for a little excitement, he invited three of his comrades to 
take a walk one evening outside the lines. Their steps, though 
diverging in different courses as they left camp, seemed to be 
drawn together as by a common magnet, until they met at the 
aforesaid rebel's pig-pen. Here his comrades took possession of 

* Rev. Arthur B. Fuller was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862. He was 
the pet of the regiment, always at his post of duty, comforting the sick and wounded with the 
kindest feelings of brotherly attention. 



CHARLES HENRY MAY. 309 

a pig each, but not without sufficient disturbance to arouse the 
farmer. His companions made good their retreat with their 
booty ; while he, in a blundering manner (so the farmer no doubt 
thought), was behind-hand in securing a fourth prize, for whose 
capture the rebel contended stoutly by holding on by the ears 
what our soldier retained by the other extremity. In this dilem- 
ma, with many hard words from the legitimate owner, our soldier, 
thinking that his comrades were at a safe distance toward camp, 
then loosened his hold, with the comforting remark to his con- 
testant, " If you will be so hoggish as not to let me have one of 
your pigs, you may keep him and be welcome." 

Complaints of the farmer at headquarters, and consequent 
investigations, were fruitless of result* 

Less successful, however, were his efforts to capture a rebel 
captain, whose home (which he occasionally visited) lay a short 
distance outside of the Union lines. After stealthily watching 
that house for more than a score of nights to waylay its owner, 
he felt certain, on one occasion, that he had entrapped him ; but 
a diligent search of the house one dark night, much to the dis- 
comfiture of the captain's family, resulted only in the confiscation 
of a couple of pies. Official orders soon after caused a cessation 
of such doubtful military movements. 

During the stay at Fortress Monroe, Mr. May had the oppor- 
tunity of witnessing that celebrated naval contest, on the 8th and 
9th of March, between the rebel iron-clad " Merrimack " and the 
yet more novel species of naval architecture, " The Monitor." 

At the first appearance of " The Merrimack," the long-roll was 
beaten ; and the men lay on their arms during the night, in con- 
stant expectation of a combined attack of the land as well as 
naval forces. 

* The next day, the officers were treated at dinner-time with a nice roast pig, much to their 
apparent enjoyment. No questions were asked, and no lies told, on the occasion. 



3IO CHARLES HENRY MAY. 

The scene was grand, almost awful. The sinking of " The 
Cumberland " under the iron prow of the rebel " monster," and 
the burning of " The Congress " in the night, gave a fearful chill 
to every Union heart, which was only relieved on the succeeding 
day by the unexpected appearance of the little " Monitor," whose 
turret was almost the only thing visible, as she steamed around 
the " monster," careless of his terrific shots ; and, at last, how 
great was the joy when the heavy metal of one of its guns peeled 
off some of the scales of the iron-clad, and compelled her to re- 
tire from the conflict ! and greater still the relief when the last 
of " The Merrimack " was seen blown to the sky in fragments 
by the rebels themselves ! 

On the 8th of May, the regiment was ordered to Norfolk. It 
was among the first Union troops to enter that city, — not soon 
enough, however, to prevent the firing of the navy-yard, which 
was then in a fierce and terrific conflagration. On the way, the 
enemy's shells from a small battery canie sufficiently near to be 
heard in their misdirected passage overhead. 

Moved to Suffolk on the 17th, a town of about six or seven 
hundred inhabitants, all of whom were rebels except a store- 
keeper, whose Union professions were probably improvised for 
the occasion. 

Mr. May, while in search of water, chanced to call at the parson- 
age, where the vociferating wife of the church dignitary, in no very 
polite terms, ordered him off, with threats, that, if the Yankees 
came there for water, she would certainly poison it. Her hus- 
band was taken the next day, trying to reach the rebel lines, with 
important despatches on his person. 

But this is only as a pleasant prelude to the rough work that 
awaits the advance of the noble Army of the Potom.ac in fight- 
ing its way on to Richmond, the rebel capital, and in which the 
boys of the Sixteenth are soon to join. 



CHARLES HENRY MAY. 31I 

Its junction with that army was effected at Fair Oaks on the 
1 2th of June; when it was assigned for dut}^ in Heintzehiian's 
Corps, in Hooker's division and Grover's brigade. The terribly- 
destructive battle of Fair Oaks had been fought ; * and hundreds 
of horses and thousands of human bodies lay dead in the vicini- 
ty where now the Sixteenth encamped. " The ground," says 
Mr. May, " seemed alive with maggots ; the bodies had not all 
been cared for ; and insufficient burials made the air sickening 
with an intolerable stench." He, with others, was detailed the 
first day to look up the unburied carcasses, and cover them with 
earth. t 

To such a scene were soldiers, all unused to battles, first 
introduced, and with the prospect of being at any hour the par- 
ticipants in a conflict yet more severe. But with stout hearts 
and steady purpose, under the guidance of cool and intrepid 
officers, there was no quailing when their time of first trial came. 

June 18, the regiment was ordered to feel the position of the 
enemy, supposed to be intrenched beyond a piece of swamp-land. 
Picket-firing commenced as the men entered the swamp : the 
rebels were driven ; and, flushed with their success, the boys of 
the Sixteenth rushed on, contrary to orders, and drove from their 
breastworks their opponents, whose steady stream of fire did not 
check the determined advance. The whole action, known as 
the Woodland Skirmish, lasted about two hours ; and the regi- 
ment lost sixty-nine killed, wounded, and missing. Col. Wyman 
and his men were rewarded for their first valor by a note from 
Gen. Hooker : " I can trust them anywhere." 

* May 31 and June I, 1862. 

t The notorious repacity of rebel privates is illustrated by the following fact : Mr. May 
found the body of a rebel in a spot a little sheltered, but still in the precincts where the battle 
must have hotly raged. He was shot dead while in the act of drawing on a pair of Union 
pants, which he had taken from the body of their owner that lay near by. 



3 1 2 CHARLES HENR Y MA V. 

Says Mr. May, " My first levelling of a rifle at a rebel, with 
deadly intent, was in advancing against the pickets. My cap 
failed to explode. He saw me, and dodged behind a tree. My 
gun was quickly recapped, and discharged at his head as he was 
aiming his piece. I saw his gun fly into the air; and his head 
disappeared." 

Crossing a cart-path to aid one of his comrades (Speakman) 
who had fallen mortally wounded, Mr. May received a volley 
from the enemy ; one ball of which entered his cap, and tore it 
from his head ; and another passed through his pants, — without 
grazing the skin in either case. 

Hitherto, the Army of the Potomac, under Gen. McClellan, 
had been inspired with hope of quickly and successfully winning 
the glory of taking the rebel capital ; but the time had passed, 
as subsequent events showed, when it would have been possible 
for a more determined and energetic commander to have pressed 
on from the first onset at Fair Oaks. Beloved and endeared to 
his soldiers as he undoubtedly was, they'must yet admit that his 
spirit prompted delays, through over-carefulness, when others 
would have rushed on to victory or death. 

On the 28th of June began that fierce onset of the rebel forces, 
which, though nobly contested by McClellan s men, yet ulti- 
mately compelled his " masterly retreat " as it has been called, 
though a most disastrous one as it surely was. In the fighting 
of the 28th, Mr. May was in his place with his comrades. Dur- 
ing the engagement, they were drawn, by the enemy's displaying 
false colors, into a position where they barely escaped capture. 
The colonel, finding his command nearly surrounded by rebel 
forces, ordered every man to look out for himself; which they 
did in a hasty and rough style, bayoneting their way out through 
the rebel ranks. 

The Irish element is well known for its intrepidity and forti- 



CHARLES HENRY MAY. 



313 



tude, and is well illustrated by the following anecdote related by- 
Mr. May. 

In the heat of the conflict, a son of the Emerald Isle, well 
known to the boys of the Sixteenth, was seen making his way 
to the rear. " Pat, where are you bound .? " was their salutation. 
" An' sure," quoth he, " I've got a bit of a scratch on my leg ; I'm 
going to get it bound up ; I'll be back soon ; " at the same time 
lifting his pants, and disclosing the effects of a shell that had 
carried away the biggest part of the flesh from one of his legs, 
below the knee. 

Mr. May saw him half an hour after under a tree near the 
surgeon's quarters. " Pat, why haven't you returned to your regi- 
ment ? " — " Och, an' sure the doctor won't let me at all." Grate- 
fully let all such tokens of a true-hearted bravery and fortitude 
be remembered. 

The next day, Mr. May was detailed as a pioneer. A retreat 
was now inevitable ; and the business of a pioneer under such 
circumstances becomes most arduous and dangerous. He must 
be on the extreme alert between the two forces, exposed to the 
random shots of his own troops as well as to the well-directed 
fire of sharpshooters from the enemy. To work with the axe, 
felling trees, and placing other obstructions to delay the advance 
of the enemy, and to hurriedly destroy all camp-equipage and 
war-ordnance that would otherwise fall into the hands of the foe, 
requires at such a time the stoutest arm for strength, and 
heart for bravery. Mr. May performed this for two days ; and 
then his system yielded to the combined effects of these exer- 
tions with the night-exposures on a damp soil, a noisome atmos- 
phere, and water too deleterious for healthful use. The swamp- 
fever completely prostrated him. He was left by his comrades in 
a place of safety ; but, amid the confusion of that retreat to Har- 
rison's Landing, he was overlooked, and, for five days and nights. 



3 1 4 CHARLES HENR Y MA Y. 

remained alone and uncared for. He drank water from a spring 
near by, and nibbled a litde from a few hard-tack he had with 
him. He had passed his fifth night thus, and saw that he was 
getting worse instead of better, and that he must die if he re- 
mained there : so he resolved on an effort to follow the direc- 
tion of the army. In a seven-hours' trial, in which he would 
walk, and sometimes crawl on the ground, until he fainted, he 
accomplished about a mile and a half; when he came in sight of 
a Union soldier. His case was reported at headquarters; and, 
soon after, he was conveyed to the regimental hospital. Here 
he received the kind attentions of his chaplain, and also medical 
aid, and, the next day, was placed on board a transport in a state 
of complete exhaustion. He says, " I can recall nothing that 
transpired from the time that I left the field-hospital until I found 
myself at Brooklyn, N.Y.," — a period, as it appears, of over seven 
days. What treatment he received, therefore, on the passage, or 
the first days at the hospital in Brooklyn, is unknov/n : but the 
crisis of the disease had passed, leaving its victim a complete 
wreck of human strength and vigor, which nature, aided by the 
most attentive and judicious nursing, alone could restore; and, 
as if by special providence, just such care and attention awaited 
him. There were angels of mercy in those days, sent by the 
spirit of pure beneficence to the sick and suffering soldiers. 

Scarcely had consciousness been restored, when Mr. May 
found himself visited and cared for daily by a woman of the 
kindliest and most sympathizing feelings, and characterized by 
the dignity and refinement of true womanhood. " To her ten- 
der nursing," says Mr. May, " more than to any other single 
cause, do I owe my life." And he was not alone in receiving 
her attentions : many a soldier will bless the memory of Mrs. 
Brewster forever. It should be added, that the lady had ample 
means for furnishing all the little comforts that go to make the 



CHARLES HENRY MAY. 315 

dull hours of sickness in a hospital seem more homelike ; and 
these she provided without stint. 

The wife of Dr. Munson is also gratefully mentioned by 
Mr. May as another of the female visitors whose presence was 
a sunshine to light up the pallid countenance of the sick soldier 
with gladness. 

For nearly four months he was detained in this hospital before 
being transferred to Convalescent Camp at Alexandria; and he 
speaks in high praise of all the arrangements of the place for 
the comfort and restoration of its invalid inmates. 

At Convalescent Camp, however, the case was different. Sur- 
geons and physicians of comparatively small experience, added 
to the less comfortable barracks, made many a soldier long for 
the time to come for his return to field-duty. 

After thirteen days of confinement here, he received his dis- 
charge from hospital-quarters, and rejoined his regiment, then 
recruiting at Alexandria. Sad was the meeting. It was indeed 
the " Old Sixteenth ; " but where were the familiar faces of a year 
ago } Of the eighty effective men of his company that he left 
at Harrison's Landing, in Virginia, only three remained to ex- 
change greetings with him. Three or four of the missing had 
been promoted to other organizations ; a few were out on de- 
tached service : but the many were either among the sick and 
wounded at hospitals, or calmly reposing in the soldier's grave. 
For, during the interval, the regiment had passed through fiery 
ordeals at Bristow Station, — the second Bull Run, — at Chantilly, 
and the remaining fields of McClellan's retreat, as well as the 
miasmatic depletions attendant on that gigantic sacrifice in the 
swamps of Virginia. 

After several movements, in which no event of importance 
occurred, the grand concentration of forces under Gen. Burnside 
began, which culminated in December in the attempt to seize 



3 1 6 CHARLES HENR Y MA Y. 

the town of Fredericksburg, and to storm the batteries by which 
it was defended. The first part of the programme was carried 
out, and the town was in possession of Union troops for three 
days ; but the severe defeat and great loss in trying to effect the 
second part must ever be chronicled with sadness. During this 
fight, the Sixteenth was not engaged, except as a reserve on the 
skirmish-line below the town, and to guard the middle pontoon. 
It was on picket-duty the night after the battle ; and, being within 
talking-distance of the rebels, an armistice was mutually agreed 
upon so far as to allow a free exchange of coffee (of which the 
boys in blue had a good supply) for tobacco, which seemed the 
only article of which there was a surplus among the rebels. 

A long winter of inactivity now awaited the vast encampment 
of the Union army before Fredericksburg. No movement was 
attempted except what was familiarly termed " the mud cam- 
paign." Mr. May was out two days and a night in this, detailed 
to make corduroy roads for the passage of the artillery. All 
sorts of amusement were resorted to in these dreary months ; 
and, in the erection of their quarters, there was no lack of inge- 
nuity displayed. Mr. May, being familiar with the use of tools, 
constructed a log-house, that, for its trim appearance and many 
conveniences, gained the compliment of being the best in the 
division. 

In January, 1863, he was detailed as driver of Gen. Berry's 
private wagon.* This position was retained until the death of 
Gen. Berry on the bloody field of Chancellorsville ; and conse- 
quently he escaped the dangers of that fight. He was, however, 
on the field of combat, and went for the lifeless body of his 
commander. 

After this he was still retained at division headquarters as 
wagoner of Gen. Humphreys. 

* Gen. Berry was in command of the division. 



CHARLES HENRY MA Y. 3 1 7 

The next grand movement soon followed. The bold push of 
the rebel commander, with his almost entire army, to invade 
Northern soil, demanded the most prompt and energetic action ; 
and Gen. Hooker was the man for the time. The rapid marches 
of his numerous forces will ever be regarded as wonderful, and 
the noble endurance of the soldiers as worthy of the highest ad- 
miration ; for in such times of trial is the true valor of a warrior 
seen, no less than on the field of active combat. So great was 
the fatigue in these forced marches, that, the moment after a 
halt, many a soldier would drop to sleep regardless of hunger or 
aught else. 

At the great three-days' battle of Gettysburg, Mr. May's duty 
as wagoner forbade his taking part in the fierce conflict ; but he 
had ample time and opportunity, besides attending to his duties, 
to witness the fearful scenes of each day. The final charge of 
the rebel forces, heavily massed in three lines, and their bloody 
repulse, he describes as fearfully grand, as he viewed it at the. 
distance of less than half a mile. 

While encamped at Germantown, Mr. May received a severe 
injury, that nearly disabled him for three months; during which 
time, he was detailed to aid in dealing out forage. 

Nothing further occurred of noteworthy consequence until 
the winter of 1863-4 found his division quartered with many 
others at Brandy Station, Va. He had for some time been de- 
sirous of again joining his comrades, and of fulfilling his duty 
as a soldier in the ranks. His requests to that end were denied; 
and, to secure his purpose, he resorted to the means of a dis- 
charge for re-enlistment. This was effected, his discharge bear- 
ing date Jan. 3, 1864; and his re-enrolment for three years in 
Company B, Capt. Nutting, Sixteenth Regiment, was dated the 
day following. Late in April, he obtained a furlough of thirty 
days, which he gladly improved in visiting his home. 



31 8 CHARLES HENRY MAY. 

On returning, he reported at Alexandria. Here he was de- 
tained four or five days. His regiment had passed on, and 
passed through the trials of the Wilderness fight, and had 
reached Cold Harbor, before he rejoined it. The reason for 
the delay in reaching his comrades may be found in the fact, 
that, on reporting at Alexandria, he, with others, was detailed 
for special service to collect the wounded that had been left 
behind in the fights of our advancing army, and remove them 
to Fredericksburg. 

To show how easily a panic is sometimes created, he relates, 
that when a halt had been made for the night, just after supper, 
a clattering and rumbling was heard approaching the bivouac : 
this was at once interpreted by some one as a rush of rebel forces. 
The intelligence so startled the whole body, — some five or six 
thousand, mostly raw recruits, — that an uncontrollable stampede 
occurred ; and the greater part of the night was spent in a 
straggling effort to get somewhere ; the sole cause of all being, 
as was afterwards ascertained, a six-mule team that had run away 
from its driver. 

The guerilla mode of warfare adopted by the rebels was some- 
times very exasperating, and prompted to summary proceedings 
on the part of the boys in blue. When near Port Royal, a leader 
of one of those lawless bands had been captured who had re- 
cently taken several Union teams, and murdered their drivers. 
With but a hasty trial, — which, however, clearly proved his 
guilt, — he was sentenced to be shot ; and the sentence was 
executed forthwith. 

Mr, May found his regiment now in the third brigade, under 
Col. McAllister, engaged in throwing up breastworks on the left 
of the army, where they were subjected to considerable disturb- 
ance from artillery and sharpshooters. 

A day or two after, while out on picket, a conference took 



CHA RLES HENR Y MA V. 3 I 9 

place between the rebels and the Union soldiers. Good feeling 
prevailed. The rebel pickets were from the celebrated Hampton 
Lesrion, and were a o-ood-lookins: and intellisfent set of men. 
The state of things was freely talked over: they expressed them- 
selves as tired of the war, and believed that a large part of the 
rebel army had also the same feeling. Mutual agreement was 
made, that, in case of a surprise in their illicit conference, they 
would aim high in firing. After a very pleasant hour, with 
considerable trading of tobacco and coffee, the amicable parties 
separated for hostile duty. 

yii7ie 15. — The regiment moved to Petersburg, and came into 
position at midnight in the works captured previously by the 
colored troops. 

In the afternoon of June 16, a line of battle was formed, and, 
at six o'clock, moved out to the enemy's second line of works. 
The firins: from skirmishers and from these works was severe 
for two hours. Our soldier's cap-box was shot away ; the ball 
passing through his coat Vv'ithout harm to himself. At the close 
of the fight, the men worked until midnight in building breast- 
works. 

yu7te 17. — The regiment relieved troops to the right under 
severe fire. While occupying this position, our troops delivered 
the most rapid musketry-fire that Mr. May had yet witnessed ; 
and the rebel works, being about fifteen rods distant, returned 
the compliments vigorously. 

yu7ie 18. — At three o'clock in the morning, were ordered up 
with as litde noise as possible. Nearly all the boys expected, 
after the severe handling of the last three days, to be relieved, 
and sent to the rear; but not such was to be their lot. The line 
was quickly formed, and ordered to advance at a double-quick. 
Without much loss, a favorable position was gained before the 
rebel works, which were to be taken by storm. The troops were 



320 CHARLES HENRY MAY. 

arranged for the charge in three lines. It was a fearful, almost 
desperate attempt, and must cost the lives of many brave men ; 
but not one was there who cared to betray cowardice. The first 
and second charge was unsuccessful ; but the third proved irre- 
sistible. The first Maine Heavy Artillery sustained the sever- 
est loss in this engagement. Of nearly a thousand that went 
into the action, only about four hundred remained unharmed at 
its close. 

In the last charge, Mr. May, whose regiment was in the rear 
line, had advanced with his comrades to within six or seven rods 
of the breastworks of the rebels, when he was struck by a Minie- 
ball, that entered his left ankle on the inside, and came out at the 
opposite side ; as is usual, tearing a large hole at its exit, and 
mutilating the bones in its passage, so as entirely to disable him. 
He crawled to a place of greater safety, and was picked up late 
in the evening, and conveyed to the field-hospital. 

The next day, at ten o'clock, a.m., his wound was dressed by 
Dr. Jewett, brigade-surgeon ; and, the day following, he was con- 
veyed to City-Point Hospital. At that early period of the in- 
vestment of Petersburg and Richmond, it is not surprising that 
ample hospital-quarters had not been provided for the fast-accu- 
mulating numbers of wounded. Mr. May thinks there was at 
the time of his arrival about an acre of ground nearly covered 
with disabled men, who were waiting to be cared for; and that 
surgical aid was very scantily supplied. During nine days of 
intense pain, he waited to receive proper attention. He was 
visited once during this time by an inexperienced man, who 
claimed to act under authority; whose treatment of one of his 
tent-mate sufferers was such, that Mr. May refused to let him 
see his wound ; and who, when he entered the tent on the next 
day, was greeted by such a simultaneous discharge of boots, bot- 
tles, and other missiles, from all quarters, as induced a hasty re- 



CHARLES HENRY MAY. 32 I 

treat, and an entire abandonment of all further attempts at even 
a respectful reconnoissance. 

He was finally visited by a naval surgeon. A consultation 
with two others unanimously decided the necessity of amputa- 
tion, which was skilfully done about midway from ankle to knee. 

The day following, he was sent, with a large load of others, to 
Philadelphia, where he found the best of treatment, and every 
accommodation for his comfort. 

Unfortunately for his speedy and sound recovery, the bandages 
had slipped during his removal from City Point ; and the flap 
had got so displaced as to slough off. Gangrene set in, resulting 
in a protrusion of the bones, and such weakness as to render a 
secondary operation too hazardous to be attempted. From all 
this, however, he finally recovered, except a troublesome tender- 
ness resulting from the bony protrusion. 

Dr. Barr was his chief surgical attendant while at the Christian- 
street Hospital, where he remained for three months ; whence he 
was removed to South-street General Hospital, remaining there 
until near November following, when he obtained permission to 
return home in season to vote for Presidential electors and State 
officers, under a furlough of thirty days, and with instructions 
to report at Boston.* 

It is not unworthy of note, that the only instance of his re- 
ceiving a penalty for unsoldier-like conduct was while at the 
hospital in Philadelphia. He had unwittingly violated the rules 



* It was a pitiful sight to behold this maimed defender of his country painfully move up to 
the polls on crutches to exercise his right of suffrage (in his own words, " About the only right a 
poor man has "), and then be challenged by the petty jealousy of partisan feeling to prove his 
claims. 

It is by no means pleasant to state also in this connection, on the testimony of Mr. May, 
that the dietetic department of Pemberton-square Hospital in Boston reflects dishonor on those 
who had it in charge. To remain there for several weeks, and not even for once to have good 
sweet bread, shows a very culpable neglect. 
41 



32 2 CHARLES HENRY MAY. 

by indulging in a whiff of his pipe on the steps of the hospital ; 
and for this he was sentenced to a week's deprivation of out-door 
exercise, at which time he was not able to go to the dining- 
room for rations without assistance. His final discharge is 
dated Feb. i8, 1865. 

He was married to Augusta A. Farmer of Wayland, March 
29, 1865; and now resides in that town. 



William Ariel May. 




R. MAY, like many others, could not resist the 

flood-tide of enthusiasm that was lifting men from 

obscurest ranks, and prompting them to lend such 

^ aid as they could command for their country's 

service ; and, like others, he little knew the se- 

<y TS0~'^ "^ vere strain to which human constitutions must 

f-f \^,y^ be subjected at times in army-life. He fondly 

W hoped to bear his part; but inexorable fate had 

planned for him but a brief experience of military service. 

He entered that service, July 29, 1862, as a private in Capt. 
Richardson's Company (A), of the Thirty-eighth Regiment of In- 
fantry ; and was discharged for disability (from incipient phthisic), 
Jan. 7, 1863. 

The regiment had experienced its hour of excitement in 
Maryland (Oct. 12, when under orders to move to the Pennsyl- 
vania frontier to oppose Stewart's cavalry). It had taken its boat- 
ride down the Chesapeake to the renowned Fortress Monroe, 
and there was waiting patiently, or perhaps impatiently, for the 
next movement. 

During five weeks of delay on board the over-crowded " Baltic," 
not a few were reported as on the sick-list ; and among them 
was William A. May. He was allowed to land for more careful 
hospital-treatment; and, while there, he sadly saw " The Baltic " 



324 



WILLIAM ARIEL MA V. 



steaming off to sea with his comrades, bearing them perchance 
to fields of glory that he must forego. 

Mr. May regarded his treatment while at Hampton Hospital 
as leaving nothing to be desired for the comfort of the confined 
soldier. 

One thing, however, came within the sphere of his observa- 
tion, which he regarded as a flagrant violation of justice; to wit, 
a system of bribery among some of the surgeons, whereby 
money would procure the soldier's discharge. One case he 
positively knew, where a discharge-paper was procured for fifty 
dollars, that could not honestly have been obtained. 

In other cases, where the disability was in too infantile a 
state to warrant the discharge, surgeons advised the applicant 
how to manage, by diet and otherwise, so as to bring the desired 
maturity: in other words, men who ought to have been com- 
pelled to quit the hospital for the field were counselled to feign 
sickness in order to avoid service to their country, which they 
had sworn to render faithfully. 

After his return home, when the call was made in 1864 for 
a hundred-days' men, Mr. May again enrolled his name for ser- 
vice, which, for the time being, was faithfully rendered in the 
vicinity of Alexandria, Va., chiefly. 

His parents were James and Fidelia May. He was born at 
West Concord, Vt, Dec. 19, 1840. 

His height was six feet, his complexion rather light, with 
brown hair and dark eyes. He was of slender form, and by 
occupation a shoemaker. 

He was united by marriage to Sarah Hersey of Wayland in 
August, 1859. 



John Mellen. 




|OHN MELLEN, " a good, brave, and faithful soldier," 
as he was called by his comrades, was a foreigner by- 
birth, and, up to the time of the Great Rebellion, had 
not become a naturalized citizen of the country for 
whose interests he fought and died. 

He was fully aware that no legal demand could be 
made for his military services ; yet he so loved the 
land of freedom, and so wished that its sacred inherit- 
ance might descend unimpaired to his children, that he freely 
offered himself upon its blood-flowing altar. 

He was the son of Felix and Ann Mellen ; born in Ireland in 
1839. In 1857, Oct. 4, he was married to Susan Dolan, by 
whom he had four children (one of which was born a few months 
after his father had joined the army). 

His enlistment occurred Aug. 9, 1862. He was of light com- 
plexion and hair, with blue eyes ; and w^as five feet eight inches 
tall. He served in Company I, Capt. Wade, of the Thirty-eighth 
Regiment of Infantry. 

Having a good and vigorous physical constitution, he was 
able to be constantly with his regiment, and ready for any duty. 
Mentally he was ever trustful and hopeful. No clouds of dis- 
appointment ever dispirited him ; and neither deprivation, hard- 
ship, nor peril, ever tempted a word of murmur from his lips. 



326 JOHN M ELLEN. 

With an unbounded affection for his family, he manifested 
in all his letters a desire for their comfort, and he sought to 
inspire them with the same courageous hope that moved him 
to duty ; while, to all the friends that remembered the family 
of the absent soldier, his soul was ready to overflow with grati- 
tude. 

In one letter he writes, " I hope I am doing my duty to God, 
my country, and my family ; for which I pray every night and 
morning. ... I hope I shall never disgrace the town I enlisted 
from, nor the name of an Irishman, — death to me first!" 

Christmas, which to a good Catholic is so fully freighted with 
social enjoyment as well as religious fervor, was the only time 
when he expressed in his letters a lonely feeling. He was on Ship 
Island, " where there is nothing to be seen but sky and sand," 
and where " no Christmas tokens were to be found." 

Where some would mutter hard words of complaint at the 
soldier's fare and lodging, he cheerily writes, " We get along 
very well. . . . We make our bed by digging up the ground 
with our bayonets to make it light ; then spread our blankets, 
and fold them over us while we sleep." 

In one of his last letters he says, " God is good ; and he will 
take care of us." 

Leaving out of view all the minor incidents of marches and 
transportations, and of campaigns where the scenes were ever 
varying and novel, we approach that scene of surpassing inter- 
est, where his voluntary offering of life-blood was accepted on 
the plains of Bisland. 

He had seen the effects of the first day's (artillery) fight ; and 
on the following morning, April 13, 1863, when all was ready for 
an advance of the infantry, a calm conviction took possession 
of his mind that he would not survive the fight. 

Under this conviction, he came to one of his comrades and 



JOHN M ELLEN. 327 

told him of his feelings, saying, " I do not fear death ; but, for the 
sake of my dear wife and children, I dread to go into the battle 
to-day." And when the fearful trial began, while he bravely 
faced the death-missiles of the enemy, he involuntarily ex- 
claimed, " O God ! — my dear wife and children ! " He received 
the fatal bullet about four o'clock in the afterno.on. It passed 
through his heart ; and he died instantly, while in the act of load- 
ing his rifle. 

A comrade * who attended his burial writes, " Early the next 
morning I found his body. It lay just as he fell. His left hand 
still grasped his rifle, containing the powder ; while in his right 
he clinched the emptied paper with its ball. . . . We buried him 
in fr6nt of the rebel line, under some magnolia-trees. ... It 
was a sorrowful loss to his company; for he was a brave soldier, 
and a friend to all who knew him." 

On receiving intelligence of his death, the Wayland Soldiers' 
Relief Society met, and passed the following resolutions : — 

" Whereas, Among the inevitable casualties of war, ive have heard tvith deep regret that one of 
our brave volunteers from this town, Mr. John Mellen, has fallen in battle : therefore 

" Resolved, That, while we deplore his loss frotn the ranks of our noble, defenders of the country, 
we woidd extend our sympathies to his afflicted wife and children, trusting that they tnay be sus- 
tained tender their great trial. 

" Resolved, That his faithful services as a soldier are duly appreciated by his fellow-citizens, and 
thai a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to Mrs. Mellen." 

* Joseph O. BuUard. 



Charles William Moore. 



"^^ HE heavy depletion of the Union army in its con- 
flicts with the rebel forces in May and June of 
1864, and the great number of men required for 
the subsequent siege of Petersburg and Richmond, 
demanded the withdrawal of all the veteran troops 
in the defences of Washington and other places. To 
fill the vacancies thus made, the War Department 
accepted a limited number of recruits for a hundred- 
days' service. 

Mr. Moore took his place among these, by enlistment, on the 
14th of July, 1864, in the Forty-second Infantry Regiment. He 
served his full time without incident of much importance, and 
was chiefly employed in provost-guard duty at Alexandria, Va. 

He was the son of William and Eunice Moore ; married to 
Emily A. Butterfield of Wayland ; was twenty-seven years old at 
the time of his enlistment ; and was a shoemaker by occupation. 




328 



Joseph Marshall Moore. 




r/T was not a matter of forecast and long-settled pur- 
pose under the influence of which Mr. Moore resolved 
to enter the army-service. The war had been waged, 
in all its varied aspects of victory and defeat, for 
nearly three years. The hopes and fears of men who 
loved their country had risen and fallen with the tide, 
^ inspiring every one to do something for the cause of 
truth and freedom, either at home, or amid the scenes 
of actual conflict. 

Not insensible to the prevailing spirit of patriotism, Mr. Moore 
yet had reason to feel, that with a wife and two young children 
depending upon him, and with a physical frame and constitution 
by no means robust, it would not be his first duty to rush into 
the exposures of army-life. 

But when Gen. Grant had assumed command, and the Presi- 
dent's call for more men had been issued, his purpose to leave 
home and family was fully made ; and accordingly he volunteered 
as a private in Company G (Capt. Wilde's), of the Fifty-ninth 
Infantry Regiment, Feb. 26, 1864. 

His descriptive list shows him to have been five feet five 
inches tall, of dark complexion, black hair, and blue eyes, and 
by occupation a shoemaker. 



329 



330 JOSEPH MARSHALL MOORE. 

He was a son of Willard and Mary (Marshall) Moore ; born 
at Wayland, Jan. 9, 1833. 

His marriage with Mary L. Balcom of Sudbury occurred in 
July, 1 85 1. 

On the 26th of April, the regiment left the quiet hills of New 
England to take an active part in a campaign that was to close 
the war. 

The capital was reached in two days. A sudden attack of 
temporary sickness, induced by over-exertion just before starting, 
prevented our soldier from reaping his share of enjoyment of 
the trip. One night was spent in barracks on the edge of the 
city ; and the next morning the regiment was moved by boat to 
Alexandria, stopping at the " Soldier's Rest " over night. It 
then moved a few miles inland, and encamped. It was now in 
the enemy's territory : and it is not wonderful that recruits of 
scarcely a week from their homes should be a little skittish ; 
not strange that an orderly out on the picket-line should, in the 
hours of night, mistake a harmless stump for a rebel foe, and 
order his squad to take good aim, and fire ; nor that the alarm- 
roll should be beaten, calling from their dreamy slumbers these 
veterans to bravely stand against the supposed advances of the 
foe. 

Hard marching brought the Fifty-ninth across the Rapidan at 
Germania Ford into the very midst of those deadly conflicts in 
the Wilderness on the sixth day of May, — just ten days after it 
had left Massachusetts. 

Says Mr. Moore, " We were under the expectation of a terrible 
fight. It was the first time we had been in sight or sound of a 
battle ; and the noise of the conflict, with the sight of the dead 
and dying men with all their ghastly wounds, was sickening and 
fearful indeed. Pallid faces were seen among our bravest as our 
line was moved to the front." 



JOSEPH MARSHALL MOORE. 33 1 

The regiment was under fire, though not very severe, for four 
hours. It was extremely hot ; and many were sun-struck during 
the afternoon : Mr. Moore was among the number. During the 
firing which had been kept up, the rebels were mostly hid from 
view among the pines ; but, on a sudden, they made an advance 
upon our line. The last words Mr. Moore heard were from an 
officer to the color-bearer, " For God's sake, hold to the line ! " 
He was carried to the rear, insensible, by a stout comrade, George 
Parmenter of Natick. On restoration to consciousness, he found 
himself at an improvised field-hospital. His friend Parmenter 
was with him : and well for him that he remained ; for in a short 
time a detachment of rebels appeared, and took such prisoners 
as they wished. On the stout and willing shoulders of that 
friend, Mr. Moore escaped to a place of safety. The night air 
aided somewhat in his recovery from the shock ; and the two 
started to find the regiment. From loss of rest, and absence of 
food, added to the sun-stroke, Mr. Moore was unfit for duty, and 
was ordered to the hospital in the rear ; but he had no relish for 
hospitals while the fighting was going on, and contrived to keep 
near his comrades. On a hill occupied by a Southern planter, 
he found a position where he saw much of the fighting at 
Spottsylvania. 

Gen. Burnside, of the Ninth Army Corps, soon appeared here, 
and politely asked the owner to allow him to use his house for 
headquarters. The man was enraged, and so unwise as to re- 
fuse the request. As a consequence, not only was there a forci- 
ble seizure of the domicile, but a general confiscation of hogs, 
sweet-potatoes, tobacco, and whatever else the premises afforded, 
with a prompt arrest of the enraged owner. His negroes im- 
mediately employed themselves in baking bread, for which they 
were duly paid by the general and his staff-officers. 

The great heat of the first days of this fight had been sue- 



332 JOSEPH MARSHALL MOORE. 

ceeded by drenching showers, and insufficient protection had 
drawn upon Mr. Moore a painful attack of rheumatism ; and, 
while his comrades were still in the vicinity of Spottsylvania, he 
found himself, one morning, entirely unable to move without 
the most excruciating pain. 

With a sad heart he saw, that, for the present at least, he must 
give up the hope of continuing with his regiment; and that he 
must submit himself to what he most heartily loathed, — hospital- 
treatment amid a mass of suffering humanity. 

He was moved in an ambulance to Fredericksburg. Already 
every public building and many private ones, as well as tents, 
were crowded with sick and wounded men ; and no better beds 
for repose could be had, on his arrival, than the damp ground or 
hard floors, the latter of which he had the privilege of using as 
best fitted to his case. After a few days of waiting at this city, 
made doubly desolate by the fortunes of war, he took his turn of 
removal to Washington, via Belle Plain, by land, and thence by 
steam-transports up the Potomac, — the latter tolerable for com- 
fort, except the intolerable stench from festering wounds, added 
to the foul air of a thousand pairs of lungs, each trying to ap- 
propriate its share of the wasting oxygen, and leaving its sur- 
plus of deleterious carbon instead ; but the former most intoler- 
able by being crowded into bagg-age-wagons without springs, 
driven by men not over-careful upon corduroy-roads. It was the 
hardest ride our soldier ever experienced ; and the groans of 
his wounded companions testified to their agony, and added to 
the awfulness of one feature of war that is too often overlooked. 
Death in its worst forms on the battle-field would be a sweet 
relief compared to such hours of living torture. 

On reaching the city of Washington, he was taken to Mt. 
Pleasant Hospital, where for two weeks he received kind atten- 
tions from both nurses and surgeons, but without any sensible 



JOSEPH MARSHALL MOORE. 333 

improvement. Intense pain, with a swelling of the joints of the 
lower limbs, indicated the nature of the disease. 

At that time he was removed to Chester Hospital, in Pennsyl- 
vania. He found things here in some important respects not as 
well regulated as they were reported to be. His stay was pro- 
longed to nearly six months. At the close, there was some per- 
ceptible degree of improvement in his condition : he was able 
to move with the aid of crutches ; and in November, under a 
furlough of ten days, he returned home in season to cast his 
vote at the general election. 

Soon after his return, he was again transferred ; and Turner- 
Lane Hospital received him to share its tender mercies. He 
believed himself to be in a fair way to speedy recovery : but a 
young and inexperienced surgeon thought to aid the processes 
of nature by experiments suggested by a theory of his own ; to 
wit, that, by forced muscular action under etherization, the stif- 
fened joints could be limbered up for normal action. 

But, alas ! instead of success, there was induced an increase 
of pain, followed by utter prostration of vital energy. Such was 
the extent of the relapse, that a message was immediately de- 
spatched to his wife, that, if she wished to see her husband alive, 
she must lose no time in visiting him. 

She and his brother immediately came ; and, after six weeks 
of anxious care and watching, she had the satisfaction of seeing 
him so far restored as to permit her return. 

Petitions were now sent by friends at home for his removal to 
a hospital in Massachusetts. By the aid of Hon. Henry Wilson, 
senator in Congress from Massachusetts, these petitions received 
prompt attention ; and a satisfactory response was obtained, by 
which his removal to a hospital in the city of Worcester was 
secured. 

Mr. Moore bears testimony, with much feeling of regard, for 



334 JOSEPH MARSHALL MOORE. 

the valuable services rendered to him and others in Turner-Lane 
Hospital by a distinguished and wealthy lady of Philadelphia, 
Mrs. Matthews, who gave freely and bountifully of money to 
supply needful articles for the comfort of the sick and wounded 
men ; and, what was still more grateful to them, by her personal 
attentions almost every day, contributing to soothe, as with the 
tender hand of a mother, the sufferings of these men, so far 
remote from the comforts of their homes. 

At Worcester, after a stay of two weeks, he obtained leave, on 
furlough, to return home ; where, under care of a local physician, 
he soon found himself more rapidly recovering, and by whose 
influence he was permitted to remain until his discharge from 
the army was obtained, which was July 6, 1865. 

The effects of the surgical mal-treatment were evident for 
months afterward ; though at present they have disappeared. 

Mr. Moore is still a citizen of Wayland, engaged in mercan- 
tile business, and though greatly disappointed in the amount 
of service he was able to render to his country, yet rejoices at 
having volunteered his aid in good faith for the restoration of 
his country's integrity, unity, and prosperity. 



Samuel Moore. 




lAMUEL MOORE, the only son of Samuel and 
^ Julia A. Moore, was born at Wayland on the 15th 
of February, 1844. 

Though not having attained a vigorous physical 
maturity, yet he felt the importance of the hour, and 
a willingness to obey its summons to duty. He 
first went as a nine-months' man in Company G, 
Forty-fourth Regiment of Infantry ; and served his 
full time without being off from duty a single day. His enlist- 
ment is dated Sept. 28, 1862. 

He left the State for the seat of war Oct. 22 following. 
On reaching North Carolina, his company did not accompany 
the regiment on the expedition to Tarborough ; and the first 
movement that brought him in contact with the rebels was 
on the 14th of December, at Kinston. But neither here nor at 
Goldsborough was the regiment under severe fire. At Whitehall, 
however, it was placed in advance, and moved to its position 
under a severe shelling from the enemy. " At first," he says, 
" I felt much afraid of being hit by the bursting shells ; but, after 
a short time, my fears went entirely away." 

The regiment was on provost-guard duty at Newbern during 
the winter and spring, with only a few unimportant movements 
in the vicinity. 



^^6 SAMUEL MOORE. 

He received his discharge at Readville, June i8, 1863. 

In stature he was five feet nine inches high, with dark 
complexion, hair, and eyes. Farming was his avocation. 

UnHke many of his comrades, he did not deem his duty to 
his country done at the expiration of his term of stipulated ser- 
vice. Accordingly, he became a Union soldier again by enlist- 
ing in the Second Regiment of Cavalry, Nov. 20, 1863. 

One month was spent on Long Island, Boston harbor, waiting 
for recruits. At the end of this time, he, with forty-two others, 
took boat for Alexandria, Va. The voyage was exceedingly 
rough, with intense cold ; and much sickness and discomfort were 
experienced. On reaching the regiment, then stationed at 
Vienna, Va., he was assigned to Company H (Capt. Rumery). 

Through some unaccountable delay, these recruits were not 
armed and equipped for service until after the expiration of four 
or five weeks. Their employment during this time was build- 
ing barracks and horse-shelters. 

After this time, Mr. Moore was on frequent service in scouting- 
parties and in squads or battalions to molest and capture Mose- 
by's guerillas. Some of these expeditions were intensely excit- 
ing, from the many narrow escapes of either party from being 
captured or killed. 

One man belonging to the regiment, Davis by name, with 
whom Mr. Moore often went on a scout, became a noted leader. 
His knowledge of the topography of the country, and his sa- 
gacity in detecting the hiding-places of the rebels, were such, 
that he seldom went out without securing more or less prisoners. 
His usual plan was to ride all night, and arrive in the neighbor- 
hood of his prey at about daylight in the morning. Pistols 
(revolvers) were the usual weapons resorted to in close quar- 
ters. 

In July, 1864, the regiment was stationed for a few days at 



SAMUEL MOORE. 337 

Falls Church, Va. It moved from there July 10, under orders 
to proceed in haste towards Washington. The enemy were met 
in considerable force near Rockville, Md. ; and a series of 
skirmishes took place, which ended in a charge that routed the 
rebels. Their retreat was daringly followed by squads of 
Union men, among whom was Mr. Moore. He, with a few 
others, had advanced into a dangerous proximity : and the 
danger was first perceived by a charge of rebel infantry, on both 
sides of the road, pressing down to flank them ; while the rebel 
cavalry force suddenly halted, and commenced a counter-charge. 
It was a desperate case. The only alternative was to surrender, 
or run a gantlet of bullets. Some of his comrades chose the 
former : he put spurs to his horse, and made for a retreat. It 
was a narrow chance for life. At the distance of half a mile, he 
met his captain with a considerable portion of the regiment, 
and was glad to feel himself comparatively safe. But the peril 
was not over. The rebels continued their advance, compelling 
their foes to retire. Mr. Moore received a heavy blow from 
a sabre in the hands of a rebel captain who was rushing 
furiously past him. The blow was a glancing one, cutting 
through the hat on the back side, and stunning him, without 
producing any serious wound. 

When he became conscious, he found himself prostrate on the 
ground, in the presence of rebel soldiers, to whom he surren- 
dered as a prisoner of war. This was on the 13th of July. 

While he was recovering from the effects of the sabre-stroke, 
a rebel soldier called out with an oath, " Why don't you shoot 
him } " at the same time cocking and levelling his rifle. The 
quick interference of another soldier saved his life from the 
intended destruction. During this engagement, sixty-seven 
others were taken prisoners by the rebels. These men were 
robbed of every thing valuable. If they possessed any article 



$2,S SAMUEL MOORE. 

of clothing, from hat to shoes, that was better than that of their 
captors, they were compelled to make an exchange. The next 
day, at about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the prisoners began 
their march, which was continued through that day, the follow- 
ing night, and until nearly sunset the next day, with nothing to 
eat during the whole time but the few blackberries they could 
pick on the way. Their guard betrayed no sympathy, but were 
perpetually taunting them with coarse jests and abusive epithets. 
On arriving at Leesburg, Va., they received their first rebel 
rations, — just half the quantity allowed to their guard. 

The march was continued westward, fording the Shenandoah 
to Cedar Creek ; thence up the Shenandoah Valley to Stanton, — 
a distance, in all, of a hundred and fifty miles. They were 
without blankets or camp-equipage, and subsisted on half-rations. 
The nights were very damp, and no wood was allowed for camp- 
fires. Weary and footsore, they were glad to be crowded on 
board freight-cars en route for Charlottesville, via Lynchburg, to 
Danville, Va., — close to the southern boundary of the State. 

While at Lynchburg, they were confined two days in an old 
building; and here one of their number was shot dead by the 
rebel guard for presuming to look out at a window. 

Danville Prison consisted of four old tobacco-houses, stock- 
aded and carefully guarded. The buildings were three stories 
high ; and each floor was occupied by two hundred and fifty 
men. 

The guard had orders to shoot every man that was found 
looking out from the barred windows; and, being largely com- 
posed of boys from fourteen to eighteen years old, they seemed 
to delight in the sport of shooting at a Yankee soldier. 

Rations of coarse corn-bread, ham, and bean-soup, were at first 
issued for three meals per day. Soon after, they were diminished 
to two, and finally only enough for one per day, and that of corn- 



SAMUEL MOORE. 339 

bread alone, which was in such condition, at times, that the hu- 
man stomach loathed it. The men, reduced almost to starva- 
tion, became rapacious, and hard-hearted towards each other, 
in some cases, and would steal their comrades' rations if chances 
offered. 

With only the floor to sit or lie upon, and no garments ex- 
cept the filthy rags that but half covered them ; infested with 
vermin, of which it was impossible to rid themselves, — their 
condition became almost intolerable. One object of this inhu- 
man treatment seemed to be to prevail on the prisoners to 
engage in the rebel service, with the hope of life by so doing. 
A recruiting-officer visited the prison every few days to induce 
enlistments. True to their country, not one of our native-born 
citizens accepted the base offer. They could nobly suffer, but 
never ignobly betray their trust. A few of the foreign soldiers, 
however, gave their services to the rebels. 

Hospital-quarters, though affording a little better food, were 
the dread of the prisoners. To go there was to die. They 
were destitute of medicines ; and the surgeons could do but little 
for the sick. Cane-sirup and white-oak bark were the specifics 
for all cases. 

Only two cases of successful escape from prison occurred 
while Mr. Moore was there, though some other attempts were 
made. 

There was a general disposition among the prisoners to make 
the best of their lot, and to live through it if possible. A few 
had Testaments to read. Games and puzzles, and a variety of 
other methods, were resorted to, that the long hours of the weary 
days might seem less burdensome. 

A clergyman resident in Danville visited the prison, and 
sought to recommend religion to the attention of the pris- 
oners. He occasionally would bring a few tracts for distribu- 



340 



SAMUEL MOORE. 



tion. His presence was generally acceptable, and his influence 
good. 

About one week before our soldier received his parole, there 
arrived a box of clothing from the Sanitary Commission. It 
was a godsend to the men to exchange their filthy tatters for 
clean, new garments. A pair of pants and a blouse was the 
allotment to Mr. Moore. 

At length came the happy day of release (Feb. 19, 1865), 
after seven months and nine days of prison-life. 

On arriving at parole camp (Annapolis), he obtained a fur- 
lough for thirty days. More dead than alive, he came to his 
home in Wayland, — a mere shadow of his former self, and so 
weak as to be almost incapable of moving. 

On returning to camp somewhat recruited, he was promoted 
to a corporalship. 

His exchange was not effected until a few days before Lee's 
surrender. He returned to his regiment, but not in season for 
any active service. 

He was present in the grand review at Washington in May, 
and received his discharge on the ist of June. 

His perils and sufferings never induced any regret at having 
become a soldier; and, should occasion require it, he is still 
ready for the service of his country. 

At present, his residence is in liis native town. 



John Noyes Morse. 




S a private soldier, Mr. Morse stands among the 
most perfect patterns for unflinching fidehty; 
' and, as fulfilHng the higher trusts of a non-com- 
missioned and commissioned officer, he won the 
sincere respect of all who knew him in those 
relations. 

He was the son of Jonas N. and Sarah H. 
Morse ; born at Wayland, May 13, 1844. 
He was six feet tall, with light complexion, dark hair, and 
blue eyes, and studying to become an organist at the time of 
his enlistment 

From a record of his army-life, carefully prepared by himself, 
the following extracts are taken as the narrative of his expe- 
riences : — 

" I signed my name as one of the quota of Wayland soldiers, 
at a mass-meeting in the Town Hall, Aug. 4, 1862 ; and was sworn 
into the service of the United States, the next day, at Lynnfield 
Camp. On the 16th following, I was mustered into Capt. Do- 
lan's Company (D), Thirty-fifth Infantry Regiment; James H. 
Baldwin being first, and John W. Hudson second, lieutenant. 

" Left camp on the 2 2cl on cars for Boston ; and, after a heavy 
march through the city, started late in the afternoon, on the cars 
of the Old-Colony Railroad, for Fall River, and thence by the 



342 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

steamer ' Bay State ' to Jersey City, N.Y. The ride from this 
place to Washington was signalized by nothing unusual, except- 
ing the hospitable entertainment received at Philadelphia, a cold 
breakfast at Baltimore, and a still less inviting supper at the 
capital. 

" With but a brief halt, we started on our first hard march 
(about twelve miles) to Arlington Heights, where the first 
bivouac was gladly welcomed. 

" Aug. 30. — We saw what havoc actual service made in regi- 
ments as Pope's retreating army passed our camp. Rumors 
were abundant that the enemy were near us ; and we daily ex- 
pected to hear the long-roll. Yet we found no harder service, 
until Sept. 6, than the usual camp, picket, and fatigue duties. 
At that date, we had orders to proceed in light order to join the 
army in Maryland. Cooking our own rations, and the bivouac 
at night, gave us some new experiences not altogether pleasant, 
except from their novelty. 

" Our route lay through Leesborough, Brookville, Newmarket, 
Frederick City, to South Mountain, where we had our first fight. 
We had been previously assigned to Reno's (Second) Brigade, of 
Burnside's Corps. 

" The battle was going on well up the mountain at four o'clock 
in the afternoon of the 14th of September; when Col. Wild, tak- 
ing us part way up, formed the regiment into line. We threw our 
blankets into piles, and moved forward, expecting hot work. 
Our special orders were to attack a battery, from their rear or 
flank, as we could get position. Oar way lay through some 
heavy timber, and it was difficult to keep in line. The battery 
retired from its position before we came in sight ; and we kept 
on towards our lines, and had got partially under cover, when 
the rebels opened a galling fire on us. The remainder of our 
brigade, being in position, returned the fire ; and we fell into line 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 343 

in their rear. It was during this movement that Gen. Reno fell, 
a short distance from our company, mortally wounded ; and, a 
{q.\v moments after, Col. Wild's arm was shattered. The firing 
was very brisk indeed for two hours ; when it became so dark, 
that the action was abandoned by the enemy. Our shots told 
effectively on their ranks, as I found the next morning on going 
over the ground. Their dead actually lay in piles in a narrow 
lane where their line was maintained. 

" We were up and ready for more work before daylight the 
next morning; but our foe had retired during the night, and we 
started in pursuit. The following day, we lay in sight of their 
skirmish-line near Antietam. 

" There had been considerable artillery practice during this 
movement, but no engagement until the 17th. We got under 
fire about noon, near the stone bridge, across the creek. Our 
brigade took the bridge, after an attempt had been made by an- 
other and failed. On crossing it, our regiment came into line, 
with orders to charge over a steep hill. We had got just over 
the brow, when we met a heavy artillery-fire, and were ordered 
to lie down. The rebel battery had a good position. We could 
distinctly see them load and fire, and the balls coming towards 
us, and striking in the line. Private Reed of our company was 
nearly cut in two by one ; and Lieut. Baldwin was severely 
wounded in the thigh. The company then fell to the command 
of Sergeant Gotleib, as the captain was off sick, and Lieut. Hud- 
son was on staff-duty. 

" Late in the afternoon we advanced again, and engaged the 
enemy in a cornfield a few rods away. Here was hot work. 
Company D, having a part of the line most covered, suffered 
less than the others. The action was kept up until nearly dark. 
Our ammunition became exhausted ; and our position was such 
as to prevent a fresh supply without great hazard. Under these 



344 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

circumstances, we were ordered to fall back, under cover of the 
hill ; where we remained during the night in bivouac, expecting 
another hard and bloody day's work. But we lay in quiet all 
the next day ; and on the 19th moved forward to find that the 
foe had fallen back on Harpers Ferry, and had crossed the 
river. 

" We now encamped in vicinity of the battle-ground until 
Oct. 7 ; making rough shelters with rails, overspread with our 
blankets. Lieut. Hudson returned to take command of the 
company soon after the battle. Oct. 3, the army was reviewed 
by President J^incoln. 

" A six-hours' hard march over the mountains took us to a 
much better camping-ground, in Pleasant Valley, where, under 
Brie.-Gen. Edward Ferrero, we became somewhat familiar with 
military drill and field-movements. 

"Oct. 27, we began our march down the Luray Valley, just 
east of the Blue-Ridge Mountains ; passing through Lovettsville, 
Bloomfield, Upperville, and Piedmont. Heard cannonading 
most of the time in our front, and in the gaps of the mountains 
as we passed. 

" Welcome news from home reached us on the 5 th of Novem- 
ber, through the visit of a townsman ; but, being on the move, 
we could see him but a short time. 

" Passed through Amosville on the 8th, and thence to Sul- 
phur Springs, with the rebels close upon us. This Southern 
watering-place was situated amidst pleasant scenery; but the 
buildings looked dilapidated and desolate. 

"Nov. 13 we were ordered to fall in, and were marched off 
through the village to the river. Before reaching it, several 
straggling shots of artillery were heard, giving us a hint of what 
awaited us ; but the night passed in quiet. On the morning of 
the 15th, as the troops were put in motion, our regiment occu- 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 345 

pied the rear, and the wagon-train in rear of us. Suddenly a 
rebel battery opened on the train ; and the Thirty-fifth was ordered 
back under heavy shelling, in easy range, to protect the train. 
Soon two of our batteries moved into position, and opened by an 
accurate fire, which soon silenced the rebel guns. Quite a num- 
ber were wounded, and one or two killed, in this artillery affair. 

" The following night we held Lawson's Ford, four or five 
miles from the scene of the skirmish; and on the i6th passed 
through Fayetteville, and three days after came into camp before 
Fredericksburg. Here commenced what is called " Burnside's 
blunder," though we of the Ninth Corps never believed a word 
of it. On arriving before the city, no part of the rebel army 
was in sight; but no pontoons were in readiness for us to cross 
the river, as had been expected. In twenty-four hours, the 
opportunit}^ to advance was lost. The rebel army promptly 
appeared, and fortified the naturally strong positions south of the 
river ; and, by the time our pontoons came, those positions were 
nearly impregnable. 

" We camped about a mile from the river, making our quar- 
ters comfortable as possible. The season was very rainy, and 
the ground was soon trodden into mud. Under such circum- 
stances, soldiering became somewhat irksome. 

" TJne latter part of the time, our regiment was ordered to the 
left to support the Second New-York Battery. 

" Dec. 1 1 occurred the bombardment of the city. I never 
heard any thing so grand as the continuous thunder of our artil- 
lery, that sent their destructive shots into the city from five until 
eleven o'clock of that day, during which a pontoon was laid 
across the river. The enemy were driven from the city, and a 
continuous stream of our troops began to cross in readiness for 
action the next day. The Thirty-fifth crossed on the morning 
of the 12th. While lying on our arms, a few of us started off 



346 JOHN NOVES MORSE. 

to explore. Our walk through the city showed us almost every- 
thing in ruins, — stores, dwelling-houses, and churches riddled 
with shot, and many burned to the ground. At several houses 
we saw the tables set for the morning meal, with every thing in 
readiness, indicating the haste in which the inmates had been 
compelled to leave. 

" During the time of our stay in the city, we were under bom- 
bardnent of the rebel guns, and had many narrow escapes. 

" Soon after crossing the pontoon, we Wayland boys saw and 
recognized the dead body of Rev. A. B. Fuller. A rough coffin 
was made by two of them, and the body taken under their care 
to the Lacy House, across the river. 

" At eleven o'clock we were ordered to fall in, and occupied 
the line of march across the city for three hours ; while other 
troops were thrown forward towards the heights fortified by the 
rebels, shot and shell dropping uncomfortably near us mean- 
while. 

" At about two o'clock, p.m., our turn came to move forward. 
From the city to the rebel forts, the ground gradually rose; the 
distance being about three-fourths of a mile. There was a slight 
ridge a quarter of a mile from those forts that was barely sufficient 
to afford protection if we kept very low. Major Sidney Willard 
commanded the regiment ; and, as we started in line of battle, he 
was the first to fall while gallantly leading us. 

" The ridge before named was our front line : here we stopped, 
and commenced firing. After our ammunition was exhausted, 
we fell back a few feet, and gave place to fresh troops. Thus 
the firing was continued very briskly until after dark ; when the 
army fell back to the city, leaving only a single line at this 
extreme front. 

"Among the casualties of the day, none caused such indignant 
feeling in my own mind as when a man just in front of me, not 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 347 

having the pluck to stand up and fire, merely rose from his 
reclining position a little, and discharged at random his musket, 
the contents of which passed through the head of a comrade in 
front, killing him instantly. 

" The next day was a quiet one along most of our lines. About 
nine o'clock, p.m., our regiment moved again to the extreme 
front to relieve the picket. We took position very near where 
we lay in line of battle the day before, and made ourselves com- 
fortable as possible in the mud ; some of us being fortunate 
enough to get some slats from a fence to sit or lie upon. The 
night passed quietly, except at one time the rebs fired a volley 
from half the length of their line, which made us grasp our rifles 
the tighter, and wait for the charge that every man of us ex- 
pected. It was a long night ; and we were compelled to lie low 
all the next day, or be targets for rebel shots. At eight the 
next evening we abandoned the line, and marched directly across 
the river to our old camping-ground. All this hard and bloody 
work amounted to nothing in the shape of good for us. What 
we did was to drive the enemy from the city into his fortified 
works : nor could more have been expected in our immediate 
field of action ; for between us and the battery-crowned summits 
of the enemy were at least two well-arranged and well-filled 
lines of rifle-pits, which, with the batteries, completely swept the 
ground of our advance, except the slight knoll at which our line 
halted. And even had we advanced, and taken the first range 
of batteries, there were others beyond, to which Lee would have 
retired in impenetrable security. 

" Attempts have been made to show what troops or generals 
were accountable for this failure. One thing is certain: no 
blame can be attached to the Ninth Army Corps. 

" Dec. 19, we were glad to take by the hand one of our 
friends direct from home, — Mr. J. S. Draper, who came with 



348 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

letters, packages, and a box of good things, for the Wayland 
boys. 

"Jan. I, 1863, I had permission to wear the insignia, and 
exercise the functions, of a corporal, and, after enduring such 
honors for five weeks, was promoted by the reception of a 
sergeant's warrant; and I performed also the duties of company 
clerk. 

" We remained in camp very quietly about eight weeks longer ; 
the only show of excitement being the day (Jan. 21, 1863) set 
for a second attempt to advance on Lee's forces : this was 
prevented by the mud, which, from rain-storms just previous, had 
become so deep as to render army-movements impossible. In 
the attempt I saw numbers of battery-guns, each drawn by 
twelve or fourteen horses. 

" Feb. 9 was our day of deliverance from this cheerless camp. 
Reveille called us from our slumbers at half-past four o'clock ; and 
soon after we were on the cars for Aquia Creek. Here was the 
great military depot for our army-stores ; and the Potomac, 
which widens at this place into a cove, presented a lively appear- 
ance, with its almost innumerable steamers, sloops, and tug-boats, 
with barges and other craft. 

" We were crowded on board the steamer ' Louisiana,' which 
took us down the river, by Fortress Monroe, to Newport News, 
where we landed on the nth, and laid out our camp on a long 
and level plain a little back from the water. This trip was such 
a relief from our winter's camp-life, that we enjoyed it very 
highly. 

"In front of our camp appeared the wrecks of ' The Congress ' 
and ' Cumberland ; ' and near us were the graves of many of 
the brave men that fell on board them in that naval action, 
which first tested the superiority of iron-clads over the old 
wooden hulks, and of the monitors over all others for a close 
action. 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 349 

" We lived like ' home guards ' in our new and delightful 
camp. Boxes filled with goodies came from home, — some the 
special tokens of our dear ones, and one the contribution of 
the Soldiers' Aid Society of Wayland. 

" A rich treat to me was the musical performance of a well- 
trained German band, which performed every pleasant evening 
from eight o'clock until late in the night. 

" While here, our chaplain left us ; and Capt. Dolan received 
his discharge. Lieut-Col. Carruth and Adjutant Wales, who had 
been taken prisoners near Sulphur Springs (by the politeness of 
some rebel ladies with whom they were dining), were exchanged 
and returned to us the last of February. We were glad to see 
them ; for we all thought very much of their gallantry. 

" On the morning of March 26 we struck tents, and at half- 
past three o'clock, P.M., went on board the steamer 'John Brooks' 
for Baltimore, arriving there about noon of the day following ; 
when we took cars for Pittsburg, Penn., where we arrived 
on the 29th, and partook of a good meal supplied by the 
citizens. The people along the line of our transit showed also 
their friendly regards in various ways. At Mifliin and Altoona, 
collations were supplied. Here we exchanged the uncomfortable 
freight-cars, densely packed (like cattle conve3^ed to market), for 
regular passenger-cars, and proceeded on our way to Cincinnati, 
where the Fifth-street Market House was fitted up for a soldier's 
refreshment-saloon, and we partook of a bountiful repast. 

" The river was crossed just after midnight to Covington, Ky. ; 
and we made ourselves comfortable in a street bivouac. The 
following day was spent in strolling. I crossed on the wire sus- 
pension-bridge to the very pleasant place of Newport, — a sub- 
urban appendage to Cincinnati. 

" April I, we took cars for Paris, Ky. ; where, on arriving just 
after dark, we were ordered to remain in cars over night, which 



350 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

some of us were careful to disobey. I strolled up to the village, 
and, after getting a supper, found a chapel-door open, and walked 
in : here was a good coal-fire left burning; and, with a few com- 
rades, a very comfortable night s rest was obtained on benches 
and settees. 

" April 3 found our brigade and a battery moving on the pike 
for Mt. Sterling, — twenty-two miles distant. The pike-roads 
in this region are smooth and hard, and we thought they would 
be capital to march on ; but the trial convinced us otherwise. 
Our feet would blister much sooner than on a tramp over an 
uneven surface. 

" The visit of the Ninth Army Corps to the State of Kentucky 
was designed, among other things, to keep in due subjection 
certain lawless hordes of rebels, which, in several parts of the 
State, had been committing grievous depredations. Conse- 
quently we were sent in different directions by brigades and 
regiments, and kept often on the move. 

" On the 17th we were marched two miles beyond Winchester, 
and camped in a pleasant grove. Here we were paid off for 
four months, and permitted to have a taste of civil life in town 
by dining at the Central House, and by an evening's entertain- 
ment at the hall, — of tableaux got up by the Union ladies for 
the benefit of the hospital. 

" May 5 we took a southerly direction, passing through Lex- 
ington, Nicholasville, Lancaster, and Montauk. During our 
march, we crossed the Kentucky River in a very mountainous 
region. The road being on a high level plain, we suddenly 
wound round and down the mountain-side, with a perpendicular 
wall of limestone above and below us, till we came to the river, 
which flowed between walls of perpendicular rock six hundred 
feet high. Crossing upon an elevated bridge, we almost as sud- 
denly emerged from these rock-beds to an open, level, fertile 
region asain. 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 35 I 

" While in camp near Lancaster, Lieut-Col. Carruth received 
his commission as colonel ; and the non-commissioned officers 
presented him with a very fine sword on the occasion. Crab 
Orchard and Stanford were embraced in our next movements. 

"At dress-parade, June i, we had orders to pack our extra 
baggage, and draw three days' rations, and, the same day, began 
our march to Nicholasville ; and there (June 4) we took cars 
for Covington. It was now clearly intimated that Vicksburg, 
Miss., was our destination ; and we proceeded at once to Cairo, 
and the next day embarked on ' The Imperial ' for a trip down 
the Mississippi. This overland route was tiresome, but relieved 
by the ready hospitalities of citizens wherever we stopped. 

"The scenery, as we passed down the river, was very monoto- 
nous ; being mostly wildwood, with now and then an opening 
made by girdling all the trees, leaving their bare trunks to 
gradual decay, and at long intervals a village of log-huts. 

" Our arrival at Memphis, on the loth of June, was signalized 
by being paid off. We found the park, with its adornments of 
pond, trees, shrubs, and flowers, quite an attractive place. At 
Helena, on the 12 th, we had our first sight of a negro regiment 

"Early on the morning of the 14th we came in sight of Vicks- 
burg, and landed soon after at Young's Point, on the Louisiana 
side, just above the city. After a fruitless march of four miles 
and back, we embarked on ' The Omaha,' and steamed up the 
Yazoo River to Snyder's Bluff, — a very strong position com- 
manding the river, built by the rebels, who spiked their heavy 
ordnance when compelled to evacuate it. Here we first met the 
Western troops in large numbers. 

" Berries were ripe, delicious, and plentiful ; and we feasted on 
them on our march of four miles to Mill Dale. On the 29th 
we moved to Oak Ridge, where we remained till the 4th of 
July; when news came of the surrender of Pemberton, with his 



352 JOHiX NO YES MORSE. 

army and armament, to Grant. Previous to this intelligence, we 
received our letters from home, some of which had been three 
months on their way. It was a memorable time ; and, in the 
midst of our rejoicings, we had orders to move at once in 
pursuit of the army of Johnston, who contrived to keep out of 
our way until Jackson was reached. 

" The weather was excessively hot, and the roads dry and 
dusty as an ash-heap. Water was a scarce article on this march ; 
and what we found had to be tinctured strongly with coffee to 
make it palatable. Springs and running streams were out of 
the question. The night of July 9 we bivouacked within 
four miles of Jackson, where Johnston was intrenched; and the 
next morning we loaded our guns for action, and moved slowly 
towards the city. Cannonading began early; but we did not 
advance into the fray that day. The day following we moved 
to the left, and took position under a heavy picket-fire. Col. 
Carruth was here prostrated by a severe sun-stroke, and we were 
for a long time deprived of his valuable services. This line 
on the left we held, with alternate reliefs, until the morning of 
the 17th, when, hearing no firing, we advanced directly into the 
city ; and our regimental flag was the first to wave from the 
cupola of the State House. The enemy had left, and crossed 
the river during the night, destroying the bridges after them. 
Johnston was not pursued, except by some of our cavalry, who 
gave his rear-guard a parting salute. 

" Our work being over in that campaign, we returned to Mill 
Dale on the 24th. Here we encamped for a while, luxuriating 
on spring-beds, which we made of young canes, raised about a 
foot above the ground to keep us from being water-soaked dur- 
ing the frequent showers, that descended in torrents. 

" I embraced an opportunity to visit the city of Vicksburg, 
and found it a very cheerless, deserted place. It is built on a 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 353 

bluff, with the Court House on the highest point. In the steep- 
ly-sloping banks towards the river were numerous excavations, 
where the timid sought shelter from the shells of their be- 
siegers, the destructive results of which were visible every- 
where ; and the entire aspect bore witness to the terrible effects 
of war. 

"The country was found to be very unhealthy; which, with 
the experiences of the march to Jackson and back, brought 
nearly half our men on the sick-list. Our regiment embarked 
on the boat ' Planet,' Aug. 6, and steamed up the river, arriving 
at Cairo on the 12th; and by cars we reached Cincinnati on 
the 14th. Four days later, we began a march to the south, 
guarding a large wagon-train. 

" On reaching Paris, we were highly gratified by the generosity 
of a grocer named Grifhn, who offered us any thing we wanted, 
agreeing to wait for his pay till we were paid off. He was a 
true Union man ; and it fell to my lot, as commanding officer 
of the company, to pay him in full the next time the paymas- 
ter came round. 

"Aug. 24 we resumed our march, passing through Lexington, 
and camping about four miles beyond Nicholasville, where we 
remained until Sept. 9 ; at which date we moved again through 
Lancaster to near our old camp in Crab Orchard. Nearly a 
month was spent here, when (Oct. 2) we began our rough 
march over the mountains into East Tennessee. The regiment 
now numbered only a hundred and twenty-three guns, under 
command of Capt. Myrick. 

" Passing through several places of interest, we reached Cum- 
berland Gap on the 14th. The mountain-scenery here is grand. 
Five days more of heavy marching over the steep and rough 
mountain-roads brought us to Knoxville. This entire tramp 
of seventeen days was an exhausting one. Many rivers were 

45 V 



354 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

forded, and we were under short rations, with but a small 
chance for foraging in such a barren, thinly-settled locality ; 
and, to add to our discomfort, it was rainy more than half the 
time. 

" After three days of rest, we were sent on platform-cars, dur- 
ing a rain-storm, to Loudon. Arriving late in the evening, wet 
and cold, we picked our way in the dark to a hillside, where we 
passed the night in bivouac. The village was on the opposite 
side of the river, reached by a pontoon-bridge. On the 28th, 
all our forces were withdrawn from the Loudon side, and the 
bridge taken up and carried by us, piece by piece, to the cars. 
We then moved towards Knoxville six miles, to Lenoire, and 
began to build winter-quarters. All was quiet until early on 
the morning of Nov. 14, when orders were received to break 
camp. Every thing seemed moving to the rear with considera- 
ble haste. The rumor was, that Longstreet had crossed the 
river near Loudon, and was forcing back our advance posts. 
Our pontoon-bridge (which had been thrown across the river 
here) was burned, and things seemed verging on a panic, when 
an engine and tender arrived from Knoxville, and off jumped 
Gens. Burnside and Ferrero. Our troops were faced about in 
less than fifteen minutes ; and we had the satisfaction of believ- 
ing that there was to be no retreat quite yet, at any rate. Our 
regiment remained on their arms till two o'clock next morn- 
ing, and were then ordered back to Loudon through the mud. 
About ten the next morning, we heard firing just below us on 
the river, and soon found that Longstreet's forces had crossed, 
and were pushing us. Our brigade was put on the skirmish- 
line ; but the rebels had gained a flanking position on our right, 
which compelled us to fall back to Lenoire. It now became a 
serious business to save our batteries and trains, as the roads 
were in an extremely bad condition. Our brigade was ordered 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 355 

to help drag the batteries througli the mud, while other troops 
held the rebels in check. At this task we worked all night, and 
till ten the next day (i6th); when a detachment of the enemy 
were upon us, and we were forced into a sharp skirmish. We 
barely escaped being captured, and retreated to a hill, where our 
batteries were got into good position, by which the rebels were 
held at bay. At night, the retreat wis continued; and Knox- 
ville was reached early in the morning. I was as completely 
tired out as I ever was in my life. The boys dropped down for 
an hour's sleep, and then were marched to the north side of the 
city, where we remained during the siege. 

" We found the negroes hard at work, throwing up rifle-pits 
all around the city and on the adjacent hills. 

" All hands now worked briskly on the defences. We dammed 
up a creek to make a pond in front of us, and tore down many 
buildings that might give shelter to rebel sharpshooters. 

" Longstreet's army soon surrounded us, and constructed 
regular siege-works. On the 19th, several skirmishes took place 
in our front, and some shells were tossed into the city. The 
more exposed houses were abandoned by their occupants ; and 
our soldiers helped themselves to what was left, for rations 
besran to diminish. 

" The rebels seemed to pound hardest on our left during the 
siege ; and the night of the 20th was especially noisy. We 
lived in our rifle-pits, which were three or four feet deep, and 
about as wide: across this trench, our shelter-tents and rubber 
blankets were spread for protection during storms. 

" On the night of the 23d, sharp firing on our front indicated 
trouble. Major Wales took a volunteer party of us to the spot, 
where we found our picket-line broken by the rebels. We kept 
them from a further advance till the next morning; when, being 
re-enforced, we drove them back to their lines again. 



356 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

" On the night of Nov. 28 was fought the great battle of the 
siege, — the rebel attack on Fort Saunders. This fort made the 
western angle of our position, and was so close to the enemy 
as to constitute our extreme front at that point. We had noticed 
that the telegraph-wires were being taken from their poles all 
through the city. The use made of them was to stretch them 
(during one dark night), about two feet from the ground, from 
stump to stump, where the trees had been cut in front of this 
fort. By this stratagem the advancing rebel lines were tripped 
up, and thrown into disorder ; and it was thought by good 
judges to have been the means which saved the fort from 
capture. It was a bloody field for the rebels. Some were shot 
down on the very top of the fort ; and a great many were killed 
in the ditch outside. The battery-men, finding their guns of 
no use in so close an engagement, cut their fuzes short, and 
threw the shells, lighted thus, over the parapet, to explode 
among the ranks of the foe that had gained the ditch. 

" On the morning of the 29th, I was out on the picket-line. 
At about four and a half o'clock, I found our line giving way 
on the left without firing a gun. The lieutenant in command 
was at this moment absent ; and, as the next senior officer, it fell 
to my lot to manage the affair. Not seeing the propriety of a 
retreat in this manner, I ordered a line at once, and moved it 
into position. The rebels soon came on us : but we held our 
position until morning ; and, being then re-enforced, the enemy 
were quickly driven back. As an instance of the narrow escapes 
which all experience more or less while engaged in firing, I had 
stood, for partial protection, behind a post, and left it just in 
season to escape a shot that would probably have at once ended 
my military career. 

" An hour or two after, during a flag of truce for burying the 
dead in front of Fort Saunders, I had the pleasure of walking 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 357 

out in front of our lines, and having a social talk with some of 
the rebels. 

" Nothing of note occurred until Dec. 5, when the rebels 
abandoned the siege. Our patrols brought in quite a number 
of prisoners. On the 7th, 8th, and 9th, our forces were in pur- 
suit of Longstreet towards Morristown, stopping at Poor 
Valley until the 15th ; when a cavalry force of the enemy threw 
us into line of battle, but without any engagement. 

" We were here so far from our base of supplies, that our 
rations of food and clothing were less than on any other cam- 
paign. A gill of coarse meal and a small piece of fresh meat 
was all we had for a day's issue ; and some days our only rations 
consisted of corn on the cob (an ear or two to each man) ; 
and we had no salt. Our clothing (and particularly shoes) was 
about used up; and this caused more suffering than any thing 
else. 

" Feb. I found us quietly camped on the banks of the Hol- 
stein, a few miles south of Knoxville. Two weeks later. Col. 
Carruth appeared, with health still greatly impaired, and took 
command of the brigade. We marched to Strawberry Plains 
on the 24th ; and two days after, with a part of the Fourth and 
Twenty-third Army Corps, we moved twenty-six miles, to Mor- 
ristown. The rebels lay in force five miles beyond ; but as both 
armies concluded to watch each other, rather than fight, our 
brigade was ordered back ; and we next camped at Mossy Creek, 
on the railroad, to cover the right flank of our army. During 
these movements, the weather was stormy and very uncomfort- 
able ; and the results gained were nothing beyond two or three 
little brushes with rebel cavalry. 

" Rumors of a return to the North had so often proved false, 
that we almost began to despair; but, on the 17th, a quiet 
march to Knoxville initiated the long-wished-for movement (toil- 



358 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

some in the extreme) across the mountains into Kentucky. 
Cars were taken at Nicholasville, April 2 ; and our progress 
thence, via Cincinnati, to Baltimore, was uninterrupted. From 
thence we steamed up the Bay to Annapolis on the 7th. Here 
we found a short period of most desirable repose, with good 
rations, commodious tents, and new suits of clothing, with many 
other comforts, made more appreciable by our long period of 
destitution. 

" On the 23d, when the whole army was in motion towards 
Washington, and our regiment had got half a mile from camp, 
I was very much surprised and overjoyed at seeing my father, 
who had just arrived. A short leave of absence was obtained, 
which was spent at the hotel in Annapolis. After two days, I 
rejoined the regiment as it was passing through Washington. 
We camped a short time near Alexandria to draw ammunition, 
and then moved on with the immense army as guard of a train. 
On the 3d of May we were at Bealton Station, in Virginia; and 
the next day we crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford. 

"Our regiment, being detached to guard a supply-train, escaped 
all the fighting of the Wilderness until it reached the North 
Anna River. 

" While near Fredericksburg, we camped on the battle-field 
of Dec. 13, 1862 ; and, on looking over the ground, I was not 
surprised that we got no nearer to the rebel lines on those 
memorable days. Their position was next to impregnable. 

" The regiment was now ordered to the front ; but Company 
D was detailed as special guard for an ammunition-train, — a 
piece of good luck (so the boys said) never before experienced. 

" From this time until we reached Cold Harbor, we marched 
parallel with the army as it fianked its way towards the rebel 
capital. At Cold Harbor we found Grant pretty strongly in- 
trenched, and much hard fighting going on. One or two 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 359 

charges from the rebels was a regular night's work ; but they 
always got sent back with great loss. 

" Our comrades of the Thirty-fifth had been detailed as an 
engineer corps, and, though often necessarily under fire, were 
exempt from the thickest of the fights. 

" Here the ammunition-trains of three divisions were consoli- 
dated into one, and the guards of the other two reported to me 
as senior non-commissioned officer ; to whose charge the future 
safety of the Ninth Corps' ammunition-train now was intrusted, 
under a stafT-officer. (I had comnianded Company D since it 
left the Wilderness.) 

" After remaining here a few days, the train moved, and crossed 
the river a few miles below City Point, and then came to the 
rear of the army before Petersburg. 

" Near the last of June, Company D was ordered to join the 
regiment, which was still on engineer service, making gabions, 
and strengthening lines of works. 

" In front of our position, the lines of the two armies ap- 
proached very close ; and at such a point the picket-firing be- 
came almost incessant. Our different lines were reached by 
means of covered ways, or trenches, dug of sufficient depth to 
allow soldiers to pass unobserved by the enemy. At the point 
above referred to, a lieutenant-colonel of a Pennsylvania regi- 
ment had planned and dug a mine under the nearest rebel fort. 
This was blown up very successfully July 30, and the 'Battle 
of the Crater' was fought. In this the Thirty-fifth took part. 
We had orders to be ready to march at the hour of midnight. 
But little sleep was had that night. At two in the morning, we 
moved by a covered way to the front, where the whole Ninth 
Army Corps was massed. Our position as engineers was in 
the rear of the corps, with orders to follow, at a distance of 
three hundred yards, with guns, shovels, and picks. The ex- 
plosion of the mine was the signal to advance. 



360 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

" Owing to somebody's fault, the troops were not all in posi- 
tion till it was quite light in the east, — a good two hours later 
than was intended. The fort was raised at a quarter before five 
o'clock ; and, as it went up, a momentary panic was created, it 
being only some twenty rods distant, and many were not expect- 
ing it. The explosion shook the earth like a good-sized earth- 
quake ; and a heterogeneous mass of guns, carriages, platforms, 
earth, stones, and abatis, with living men, was sent flying into 
the air, which was darkened for a time. The charge was soon 
made by our troops. As our turn came, we gave three hearty 
cheers, and advanced. We moved by the right flank. Lieut. 
Hatch (commanding Company D) and Lieut. Berry, just in 
front of me, both fell before they had gone a rod from the pit, — 
the former wounded, the latter killed. The command of the 
company now fell upon me. I led them on to the crater; and 
we immediately began re-facing a portion of the debris to pro- 
tect our line. Our guns were brought into active use. Company 
D had a good position, and could almost keep a rebel gun 
silenced at our left that was making it warm for us with grape 
and canister. I secured a place whence I could see over the top 
of the blown-up fort, and used three guns as fast as my com- 
rades could load them for me. About ten o'clock, the Thirty- 
fifth was ordered off to bring ammunition to the front, and, about 
noon, went back to camp. Soon after, we heard a rebel charge 
that drove our troops back to our lines, leaving the dead and 
wounded on the field. 

" The captured rebels said, that, as there was brisk skirmishing 
that night, they expected an attack on the fort, and had put in 
an extra supply of troops, who were all blown up. One chap 
with a broken arm remarked, ' It is rather rough to set a fellow 
flying, and then clip his wings.' 

" It was a sad defeat. I mention one fact that by no means 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 36 I 

alleviates the disaster. The Fifth Army Corps on our left, and 
another on our right, were sitting on the tops of their rifle-pits 
cahnly, while we were being cut to pieces and driven back. A 
very little help from them on either flank would have secured a 
good position for us ; and a victory would probably have been 
gained. 

" It was a day and a half before a flag of truce could be recog- 
nized by the rebels under which to bury the dead; and then the 
hot sun had so aided the progress of decay, that whites could 
only be distinguished from negroes by their hair. We dug two 
trenches, and laid the negroes side by side in one, and their 
white comrades in the other ; details from each division burying 
their own dead. 

" After this, the Thirty-fifth was employed in building forts 
chiefly. This was done by night, and our sleep was obtained 
by day, — so far as the legions of flies and the extreme heat would 
permit. 

" On the resisfnation of Gen. Burnside, about the middle of 
August, the Thirty-fifth was ordered back into line, and, on 
the 19th, took part in the Weldon-railroad fight. The action 
had commenced before our arrival. We hastened our movement, 
and closed in with the Fifth Corps just as a body of rebels were 
about to flank it. We met a heavy fire, but held our own ; and 
finally drove the enemy back, killing a large number in front of 
our regiment. The Ninth Army Corps, and more particularly 
our division, in my opinion, saved the Fifth Corps in that action. 
Our regiment lost two officers wounded (one died in a day or 
two), two men killed, and twenty wounded. Company D was in 
my command during the day ; and no body of men ever acted 
better in battle. They were perfectly cool and steady when 
under severe fire. The next day we lay in line of battle, com- 
paratively quiet. On the 21st, the rebels made some demon- 

46 



362 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

stration in our front, opening their batteries on the Fifth Corps 
at our left (an angle in the line brought us also in direct range) ; 
and, as they fired rather higji, the 1 2-pounders dropped around 
us so thick as to make it rather risky : so we advanced our line 
a short distance. While in this movement, a ball came bound- 
ing along, first striking a shovel, and breaking it in the hands of 
G. A. Spofford, and striking the bottom of his foot ; then bruis- 
ing my shin, and soon after stopping in a rubber-blanket. To- 
wards evening, my leg got pretty stifi"; and I left the company, 
and took up my quarters a short distance in the rear with Mr. 
Campbell,* where I remained three or four days. 

" From this period, one-third of our men were under arms all 
the time. 

"About Sept. I, we received into our regiment two hundred 
German recruits, fresh from the old country, who (excepting per- 
haps half a dozen) could neither read nor speak a word of our 
language ; and the next day a hundred and fifty more were 
added, making us the largest regiment in the corps. Fortunately 
for me, none of these men were assigned to Company D. 

" Sept. 21, I had notice of being commissioned as lieutenant; 
and Company D, which I had commanded for a long time, was 
formally given to my charge. 

" Very suddenly on the 25th, we had orders to pack up and 
move ; and on the 30th occurred the last movement that I took 
part in. On that day was the battle of Poplar-spring Church. 

" About the middle of the forenoon we marched across an 
open plain from our extreme left, and at the distance of a mile 
were formed in line of battle as a reserve ; while the first line of 
rebel works was taken by other troops. 

" Then, as we advanced to the second line, the rebels found a 
gap in ours, and pushed us at that point, and at the same time 

* Hospital attendant. 



JOHN NO YES MORSE. 363 

turned our left, and sent a galling fire on our flank and rear. We 
were ordered to flill back. This movement was done with creat 
credit to the Thirty-fifth, considering its foreign elements. We 
retired for protection behind a small knoll, until shots from both 
flanks compelled a farther retreat. From this point I retired 
with the aid of four of my men. While I was endeavoring to 
straighten the line, a shot from the right flank laid me on my back 
instanter; but, my whole company being with me, I was imme- 
diately taken to the rear on a blanket, making a detour in the 
woods to avoid contact with an advancing column of the enemy, 
which at one time appeared nearly in front of us. But the men 
got me safely off, and soon found a surgeon, who extracted the 
ball. During the night, I was taken to a field-hospital. The 
result of the battle was, that we retained the first line of works 
taken, with but very little else. 

" At first, and for a day or two, I suffered no pain ; the whole 
limb being paralyzed. The ball had entered the thigh ; and, graz- 
ing the hip-bone, it lodged in the groin, coming almost in con- 
tact with the femoral artery. I was soon after conveyed on the 
bottom of a muddy box-car over a roughly-constructed road to 
City Point. It was the hardest ride I ever took. At the hospital 
here I received good care and treatment ; and the wound, 
although quite severe, gave me little inconvenience, all things 
considered, and continued to improve rapidly.* 

" After ten days of hospital-life I obtained leave of absence, 
and took a boat for Washington, where I met my father, to whom 
I had written soon after I was wounded. After getting some- 
what recruited, I came homeward as far as New York, where the 
New-England Rooms, under charge of Col. Howe, afforded an- 

* The modesty with which Lieut. Morse thus speaks of his wound may be inferred from the 
fact, that the surgeon in attendance pronounced it fatal ; and a letter received from a comrade 
earlier than his own contained this sad intellisfencc for his friends. 



364 JOHN NO YES MORSE. 

other grateful' resting-place. From thence I came to Wayland 
quite comfortably. 

" My sensations can be better felt than described on reaching 
home once more after an absence of nearly two years and a 
half. Friends and neighbors flocked in to see me, which was 
very gratifying. 

" My ardent wish was to be able to return to duty at the front ; 
but I found that the nature of my wound would render it impos- 
sible : and on the i8th of January, 1865, I received an honorable 
discharge. 

" In closing this narrative, and on looking back on my army- 
life, I feel conscious of having enlisted, and of endeavoring to 
fulfil my duties as a soldier, from worthy motives. My country 
was in danger from her enemies, and I wished to help avert that 
danger; and if my services were of any avail in aiding to rid 
that country from the great disturbing cause (chattel slavery), 
and of giving to a race of human beings their freedom and man- 
hood, I am glad of it, though this formed no part of my motive 
at first for becoming a soldier. On the whole, I never could 
have felt that I was in my rightful place had' I refrained from 
joining the .ranks of the Union army." 



James Edmund Moulton. 




^/AMES EDMUND MOULTON was drafted for 
military service July i8, 1863. His parents were 
Joseph and Mary Moulton. He was born at Way- 
land March 27, 1835. With two other drafted men, 
he was conveyed first to Concord, Mass., and thence 
to Long Island in Boston harbor. 

The tent-floor being the ground, somewhat hollowed 
out by long use, a ram-storm the day previous had 
left several inches of water beneath the tent. The hay which 
constituted the soldier's bed did not prevent the chilling effects 
of the water; and the next morning found Mr. Moulton unable 
to move. Dr. Hayward took him to hospital-quarters, where he 
received every attention ; but he remained on his bed until 
ordered to embark for the South. 

He arrived at Alexandria about the middle of November ; and 
the resident surgeon then considered his case (without examina- 
tion, as Mr. Moulton states) to be feigned, and ordered the tor- 
turing operation of cupping from three to seven times a day. 

An Irish surgeon soon succeeded this doctor ; and, by humane 
treatment, Mr. Moulton began to recover. 

Six weeks after, he was sent to Convalescent Camp, where an 
examination by the board of surgeons resulted in his discharge 
for disability, on the first day of February, 1864; and on the 
next day he returned to Boston, not having been instrumental 
in rendering the least service to the country as a soldier. 

365 



Dennis Mullen. 




O personal account has been obtained from this 
soldier of his services while in the army. 

He was a private in Company I, Thirty-eighth 
Regiment of Infantry ; and it is believed that he 
served faithfully at every post of duty assigned, so 
long as he continued a member of the regiment, 
from the time when it left Massachusetts (Sept. 24, 
1862), in all its movements, including its trying cam- 
paign in Louisiana, and during the siege of Port Hudson. 

It was his fortune to be taken prisoner in July, 1863 ; but it 
is understood that he endured no special hardships while in the 
hands of the enemy. After a few weeks he was paroled, and 
sent to Ship Island. 

On being exchanged, he was transferred to a cavalry regiment 
in Louisiana, where he served till the close of the war. 

Mr. Mullen was a native of Ireland. In stature he was above 
medium height ; of light complexion, hair, and eyes. He was 
a married man, and by occupation a blacksmith. 
His present residence is not known. 



366 



Ambrose Miranda Page. 




IRANDA and J ULIA A. PAGE were the parents 
of this soldier, who was born at Princeton, Mass., 
Oct. 23, 1842. He had resided several years in 
Wayland previous to the war, and partook of 
the enthusiastic spirit of his associates there, 
aroused by the stirring appeals to arms that 
throbbed through our borders with resistless power; 
and, though less able to endure severe hardship 
than some others, he resolved not to be recreant to the call of duty. 
He enlisted as a private in Company D, Thirty-fifth Infantry 
Regiment, Aug. 5, 1862. In stature he was five feet eight 
inches, with light complexion and hair, and blue eyes. He was 
a clerk by occupation. 

His service of nearly three years was more than ordinarily 
eventful and varied ; yet the materials for his record have been 
so scantily supplied, that justice will be but imperfectly rendered 
to him in the following narrative. 

Ordered to move to the hostile territory with his regiment 
before it had attained any proficiency in military drill, and to 
face the enemy in severe battle only six weeks from the time he 
left the quiet employments of home, it would not have been 
surprising had he been found wanting in the needful endurance. 
Yet in all the marches through Maryland, and on the first trial 



367 



368 AMBROSE MIRANDA PAGE. 

of battle at South Mountain, with the subsequent exposures and 
trying duties, and the yet more terrific experiences at the 
Antietam fight, Mr Page bore his part faithfully, and with a 
true patriot's devotion. 

While in camp at Pleasant Valley, he was detailed as an 
ambulance-driver, Oct. i8, 1862. By this appointment he was 
saved from the fatigues of marching, and from the perils of 
actual battle, to a considerable extent. 

At the battle of Fredericksburg, he had a good chance to see 
from the hills of Falmouth its terrific displays of bombardment, 
with the heroic movements of our troops on the following day 
in their unsuccessful charges upon the rebel works. During 
that day, his services in removing the wounded were not re- 
quired ; but on the following night there was an incessant de- 
mand for all his energies, amid the groans of the mangled men. 
The vivid pictures of this great conflict, with its attendant hor- 
rors and sublimities, are ineffaceably engraved on his mind. 

The winter at Falmouth passed without excitement. A visit 
of a friend from Wayland made an agreeable surprise ; and the 
supplies he brought of needful clothing made the surprise yet 
more delightful. 

Towards the close of winter, orders came for a move of the 
Ninth Army Corps under its old commander, whose defeated 
plans while controlling the Army of the Potomac made him 
none the less dear to his former veterans. 

The ambulance -department moved out of camp to Belle 
Plain, where it embarked on transports for Newport News. It 
was a bitterly cold and tedious voyage. The boats were unmer- 
cifully crowded, and both men and teams suffered also from want 
of ample sustenance. But a few weeks' camping in excellent 
position gave fresh impetus to all hands in proceeding to con- 
quer the Rebellion in a western campaign on the soil of Ken- 
tucky. 



AMBROSE MIRANDA PAGE. 369 

Of Mr. Page's personal experience in this movement from 
camp on the shores of Hampton Roads, vid Baltimore, and dur- 
ing the extensive ride thence to Cincinnati, and of three months 
in the spring and summer of 1863 in the borders of Kentucky, 
no record is made ; nor, indeed, of the more eventful movement 
back to the metropolis of Ohio, and thence to the Mississippi, 
down whose turbid current Gen. Burnside's veterans steamed 
to aid in the reduction of Vicksburg. Imagination must sup- 
ply the details of all that he saw of novelty, of beauty, and of 
grandeur, in these trips; with all the rough experiences over the 
arid fields of the State of Mississippi in pursuit of Johnston's 
forces ; of the siege at Jackson ; of the crowded ambulances on 
returning to Milldale ; and the return to Northern soil. It was 
a period demanding the severest exertions under circumstances 
that only the true patriot could endure without a murmur. 

In common with a large part of the Ninth Corps in the Mis- 
sissippi campaign, Mr. Page found the climate and exposures 
too much for his powers of endurance; and the tiresome trip up 
the river was made still more tedious by confirmed sickness 
from fever and chills. On arriving at Cincinnati, Mr. Page, with 
several others of his regiment, was transferred to hospital-quar- 
ters at Camp Dennison, near that city. Here he remained dur- 
ing the next six months, during the last four or five of which he 
was detailed to act as hospital-steward. 

In the winter of 1863-64, Lieut-Col. King of the Thirty- 
fifth Regiment was post-commandant at Lexington, Ky., and had 
gathered around him for clerical and other duties several of the 
disabled men of the regiment. Among these, Mr. Page was one. 
He reached the place on the 19th of January, 1864, and im- 
mediately entered upon duty as quarter-master's clerk; which 
position he filled with acceptance until March 29 following. 
This was, perhaps, the most agreeable portion of his army 



370 AMBROSE MIRANDA PAGE. 

experience ; for the duties were light, the quarters comfortable, 
and the companionship was select, while considerable opportu- 
nity was afforded to mingle in the general society of the place. 

Under special orders to rendezvous at Annapolis, Md., all the 
members of the post left at the close of March, and in a few 
days were rejoined by their comrades of the Thirty-fifth. 

Mr. Page was permitted to return home on the fourth day 
of April under leave of absence. His health was very far from 
being in a perfect state. Lieut-Col. King had been appointed 
recruiting-officer for Suffolk County, Mass., with an office in Bos- 
ton ; and to that office Mr. Page had received an appointment 
as clerk, which he was glad to accept in preference to field-ser- 
vice, to which his physical condition seemed now entirely inade- 
quate. In this position he rendered acceptable service until 
Sept. lo following. On the 25th of August previous, he was 
promoted to second lieutenant in the Nineteenth Unattached 
Company (H) of Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, which was then 
on duty in the defences of Washington, D.C. ; and on the 24th 
of September he proceeded, under special order, to report to its 
commander. 

After fulffiling the duties of this position until Dec. 21, he 
was at that date detailed by Col. Wells, provost-marshal-gen- 
eral of defences south of the Potomac, as assistant provost- 
marshal at Fort Albany, Va. ; and was ordered on duty at that 
post the same day. 

Here Lieut. Page passed the remainder of his army-life very 
pleasantly. 

His marriage with Emma T. Drury of Wayland occurred at 
Washington, Jan. 18, 1865 ; and housekeeping in military quar- 
ters added an unusual charm to the remainder of his military 
career. 

He received his final discharge June 17, 1865. 



AMBROSE MIRANDA PACE. 



Z7^ 



In offering his services as a volunteer soldier at the outset, 
Mr. Page was actuated by no personal ambition ; his sole object 
being to aid in putting down the Southern Rebellion. And, as 
subsequent events disclosed themselves, he cheerfully accepted 
the situation, and sought only to discharge his several trusts 
with fidelity; and he may feel a just pride in declaring that his 
experience in the service of his country, viewed in all its rela- 
tions, is to him of priceless value. 

His present residence is Marlborough, Mass. 



William Levi Parker. 



"'S>.>~^ HIS man, although a resident of Wayland at the 
time of his enHstment (August, 1862), was not a 
native of that town. 

In person he was of medium height, with Hght 
complexion and hair. By occupation he was a painter. 
He was about thirty years of age, and married. 

He joined the Thirty-fifth Infantry Regiment, and 
served therein as a private, from the time it left for 
the seat of war until the morning of the battle of Fredericks- 
burg (Dec. 12, 1862); when he basely flung aside the patriot's 
devotion to his country, disregarded the soldier's reputation for 
fidelity and bravery, and chose to enter upon his army-record 
the reproachful epithet, a deserter. 

372 




Henry Dana Parmenter. 




^ENRY DANA PARMENTER became a sol- 
dier in the United-States service by enlisting for 
a term of nine months, Sept. 17, 1862, in the For- 
ty-fifth Regiment of Infantry, Company F, Capt. 
Daland. 

It was known as the " Cadet Regiment," and 
numbered among its privates, as well as officers, a 
large proportion drawn from the e/z/e of Boston 
and vicinity. 

On the 24th of October, 1862, it received orders to report to 
Major-Gen. Foster, in North Carolina. On being transferred 
to the steamer " Mississippi," in Boston harbor, it was there very 
uncomfortably detained for several days during the prevalence 
of a severe gale. The good boat outlived the tempest, and safely 
landed its living treasures at Morehead City, N.C., on the 14th 
of November following. 

Mr. Parmenter's impressions of men and things at his first 
landing on Southern soil may be inferred from the following 
extracts from one of his letters to his friends : — 

" We had heard so much at the North about the loyal people 
of North Carolina, that I expected to witness some demonstra- 
tions of joy at our arrival ; but I have been disappointed. At 
Morehead City we saw no whites, save the soldiers doing guard- 



3-3 



374 HENRY DANA PARMENTER. 

duty. The town is in a wretched condition : the road from 
thence to Newbern is through a sandy desert interspersed with 
swamps ; and most of us thought it hardly worth fighting for. 

" There are some white famihes at Newbern and the interior 
who profess loyalty. They get knowledge of our plans, and 
watch our movements; and, strange to say, the rebel army come 
straightway into possession of all such knowledge." 

Concerning the blacks, he writes, " I must say, I have not heard 
of or known a case of dishonesty in one of them." 

On the 1 2th of December, the regiment was put upon the 
march in Gen. Foster's expedition to Goldsborough to destroy 
the railroad communication between Richmond and the more 
southern States. The first severe fighting was experienced at 
Kinston, where the rebels had collected a force of about five 
thousand men and several batteries to oppose Foster's advance. 
It is thus described by Mr. Parmenter in a letter: — 

'* The rebels expected that we should move in the direct route^ 
and enter the town on the east side ; consequently they had ar- 
ranged masked batteries and rifle-pits on the way, and had made 
similar preparations for our reception in that part of the town : 
but Gen. Foster, after a march of one day, took a circuitous 
course, which brought us before the town on the south side. 
The rebels, however, came out here, and chose their ground in 
front of an almost impassable swamp, through which a narrow 
causeway led. Their batteries were placed so as to rake this 
causeway. 

" Our batteries were duly posted to do effective service ; and 
the contest began in earnest. In the midst of the artillery-fray, 
our regiment was ordered to proceed along the causeway a cer- 
tain distance, and then file to the right. The mud and water 
was about half-knee-deep, and a thick underbrush made our 
movement somewhat slow ; while the noise of the cannonade, 



HENRY DANA PARMENTER. 375 

and the shells rushing and crashing over our heads, made our 
position any thing but pleasant. 

" We were halted within two rods of a rise of ground covered 
with shrub-oaks, behind which were posted the rebel infantry. 
We could hear, but not see them. We began firing by compa- 
nies through the brush, and then at will, as fast as we could. 
Our fire was briskly returned. Our favored position exempted 
us from severe loss during the two hours that we lay here, 
while bullets and shells were incessantly making ' music on the 
air ' just above us. We had but eight killed and twenty wounded 
in our regfiment. 

" The contest of the day was ended by a charge of the Tenth 
Connecticut and other regiments. The rebels were routed, 
leavino: their dead and wounded. We took about five hundred 
prisoners, and eight pieces of rifled cannon. Before leaving the 
town, the rebels had set fire to large piles of cotton and grain, 
which were burning all night." 

The above engagement was on Sunday, Dec. 14. The next 
day the regiment resumed its march, and on Tuesday met the 
enemy again at Whitehall in larger force. This place is on 
the Neuse River, about midway between Kinston and Goldsbor- 
ough. Mr. Parmenter writes, — 

" Our road lay at the foot of some high land, running parallel 
with the river, between which and the road was a swamp. Be- 
yond the river the rebels lay in ambush, with a large number of 
masked batteries. All unexpected, they opened fire upon us 
with shot, shell, canister, and grape. As soon as possible, our 
batteries were got into position on the elevated ground at our left ; 
and, in an almost incredibly short time, forty-three of our guns 
were in active use. Our regiment was ordered to support a 
battery. We were placed where our fire could do no good; and 
we lay during four hours where the shells of our own batteries 



376 HENRY DANA PARMENTER. 

were flying just over our heads, and those of the enemy were burst- 
ing and striking unmercifully near. I was at one time covered 
with earth thrown up by an exploding shell that had struck quite 
near me. The roar was stunning ; but their fire slackened, and 
was finally silenced. They drew off their forces ; and we re- 
ceived orders to move on. 

" At a distance of ten miles from Goldsborough, we bivouacked 
for the night. The next day we were held in reserve, and only 
partook of the contest at Goldsborough by hearing the noise of 
the cannonade." 

As the regiment was now detailed for provost-guard-duty at 
Newbern, no further incidents of note occurred in Mr. Parmen- 
ter's experience. In a letter he notices his chaplain, Rev. A .L. 
Stone, as follows : " He is beloved by the whole regiment, and 
is familiar with every man he meets. His services during en- 
gagements are spoken of as of the highest value to the 
wounded." 

Mr. Parmenter is the younger son of Jonathan D. and Lois 
(Damon) Parmenter; a native of Wayland; born May 19, 1834. 

His descriptive list shows him to have been five feet seven 
and a half inches in height, dark complexion, brown hair, and 
hazel eyes. School-teaching and agriculture were his avocations. 

He held the position of corporal during his connection with 
the army. 

He was mustered out of service with his comrades on the 8th 
of July, 1863. 



Charles Hammond Rice. 




ELATIVE to the naval service rendered by Mr. 
Rice, no detailed account is accessible. He entered 
the service Dec. 23, 1862, on board a school-ship in 
the waters of Charlestown Navy Yard, and resigned 
in the following April. 

His second enlistment was Sept. 26, 1863 ; and it 
is believed, that, for nearly a year, he was faithfully 
occupied as acting-ensign on board the gunboats 
" Macedonia" and " Savannah," near Key West. 

He was of light complexion, and of tall, portly physique. 
He was a native of Bangor, Me. ; and was united by marriage 
with Mary L. Ames of Wayland. 

His present residence is in one of the Western States. 
48 377 



James Alvin Rice. 




^Y his remarkable coolness and intrepidity while in 
the cavalry service, this soldier won from his com- 
rades the title of " the bravest boy in the com- 
pany." Indeed, at times he was so unconscious of 
danger, that his conduct seemed reckless. 

He was of slender form ; five feet four inches 
tall ; of dark complexion, with black eyes and hair. 
His birth occurred at Natick, Dec. 26, 1841. 
His first enlistment was in the Eleventh Regiment of Infant- 
ry, in Company K, May 8, 1861. Weakened by sickness soon 
after his regiment began its field-service at Washington, he 
found himself unable to fulfil his duties as a private with com- 
fort or satisfaction ; and, when ordered forward to meet the ene- 
my at Manassas, he became entirely prostrated, and was left 
behind. 

Medical care did not seem to recruit his energies ; and he 
applied for a discharge. In this he was seconded by his brother 
in the same company and by his captain, but without avail. 
His brother writes, "James is not stout enough to bear the 
hard service of a soldier ; and I think his only chance for life 
is to get a discharge." 

Under repeated disappointments and continued ill health, he 
took the unsoldier-like course of helping himself by abruptly 



378 



JAMES ALVIN RICE. 379 

leaving the army in August, 1861. In this lie was successful. 
This act, however, so far as all the facts in connection go to 
show, was not done under the influence of any unworthy mo- 
tives. On arriving home, he told his friends that he meant to 
join the army again as soon as he was able ; and this promise 
he fulfilled in October following by enlisting in the First Cav- 
alry Regiment of Maine. 

Even while unfit for service, he loved to ring out in clear 
tones the soldier's well-worn ditty, — 

" A soldier, a soldier, I'm longing to be : 
The name and the life of a soldier for me ! " 

And several of his letters came home bearing the couplet as his 
chosen motto. 

The cavalry service, with its dashing encounters, its thrilling 
incidents of scouting, and hairbreadth escapes, was well adapt- 
ed to his enthusiastic, daring temperament. He was ever ready, 
and even eager, to go on a scout ; and was always found among 
the very foremost where intrepidity was required. 

It is to be regretted, that, while he wrote often to his friends 
at home, he never describes events in their details ; and so his 
narrative must be meagre and dry where it should be filled with 
intense interest. Yet his jaunty expressions seem to delineate 
forcibly his own heroic spirit, while they mark with graphic 
brevity the scenes and events in which he bore a part. 

To say, for instance, of the second Bull-run battle, that " we 
had a good smart fight, and I am all right," conveys a most 
emphatic idea of this youthful cavalier. So also of the engage- 
ment at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862 (the first at which he 
was present), " It was a good fight, and I had my horse shot 
under me." 

He was at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam ; also 



380 JAMES ALVIN RICE. 

at Brandy Station, Va., June 9, 1863; at Fredericksburg under 
Burnside ; and at Gettysburg, — concerning which none of his 
letters are now found to speak. 

On the second day of May, 1863, while on a scouting-party 
near Gordonsville, he, with fourteen others, was taken prisoner, 
and held at Richmond for several weeks, when he was paroled, 
and came to Alexandria. He tersely sums up his treatment 
while in rebel hands by writing, " They stripped me of every 
thing, and tried to starve me." 

While on parole he obtained a furlough, and came home. 
During this visit, he was arrested as a deserter from the Elev- 
enth Infantry Regiment. After a few days of confinement in 
the county jail and at Fort Independence, he was carried South 
in handcuffs, having twice attempted an escape. He desper- 
ately resolved and declared that he would never be returned to 
that regiment; and, when in the vicinity of Washington, he 
gave a stunning blow to his guard, made good his escape, and 
found his way to his cavalry comrades, who gave him protection 
until his exchange as a prisoner, which occurred soon after.* 

Oct. 31 he writes, " We had a hard fight at Freeman's Ford, 
and came near losino^ our whole res^iment. 

" Dec. 7. — We fought two hours, and gave them the worst of 
it. I believe I am the luckiest man that ever lived. 

" May 15,1 866, near Harrisons Landing, — We have been on 
the move ever since the 2d, and a number of fights have been 
the consequence ; but I have had my old luck. I almost believe 
that a bullet can't hit me. Five of my companions were killed 
at my side. Yesterday, about three miles from Richmond, we 
had a good fight that lasted six hours. We got the advantage, 
and took two pieces of artillery and two hundred prisoners. 

"' June 3. — We go scouting every day. My company, with 

* He was exchanged Oct. ii, 1863. 



JAMES ALVIN RICE. 38 I 

two others, went towards Culpeper yesterday, and saw about 
sixty rebels ; and then turned and ran for camp, disgracing the 
whole army. 

''Aug. 20. — A fight is coming soon. I trust in the One that 
has safely carried me through all the l^attles. 

''Aug. 22. — We have had two good fights north of the James. 
I am the luckiest man living. I go where others don't care to 
go, yet I have never been hit; but I have had another horse 
shot under me." 

After the Weldon-railroad fight, where he was greatly ex- 
posed and several of his near comrades fell, he again speaks of 
his fortunate escape from personal harm. 

On a raid to Richmond at an earlier date, March i, 1864, he 
writes of one of his hardest-fought battles, " The cavalry went 
in dismounted to charge a rebel battery, whose well-directed fire 
of grape and canister compelled a retreat, which the rebels fol- 
lowed up, capturing many of the men and horses." 

At a skirmish near Rappahannock Station, the rebels were 
driven ; and, in following them up, our cavalry-boy gave chase to 
two of them, and, having the better horse, soon came within a 
short distance, when he ordered them to halt and surrender, at 
the same time giving them a threatening flourish with his re- 
volver, which was- innocent of powder and ball, he having pre- 
viously discharged all its contents in the fray. Seeing his reso- 
lute attitude, they concluded to yield to him as conqueror ; and 
under the fear of his harmless pistol, backed by his daring 
determination, he brought them triumphantly to camp. 

By a letter dated Aug. 29, 1864 (but with no mention of local- 
ity, as was the case with many of his letters), it appears, that, 
his regiment having in the evening come up with a body of 
rebel infantry, and his colonel wishing to ascertain their num- 
ber and position, he volunteered his services as a spy. He 



382 JAMES ALV/N RICE. 

writes, " After I had taken off my boots and stockings, and all 
my military gear except my revolver, I contrived, by creeping on 
my hands and knees for about a hundred rods, to pass their 
pickets unperceived ; and, having secured the needful informa- 
tion, I came back in the same way. I knew the chances were 
that I should be shot ; but I would not have it said that Rice 
was less fearless than any of his comrades. I mean, when I 
leave the army, to leave a good name behind me, or not leave 
it alive." 

But the fates were not always to protect him from harm. In 
the engagement that ensued, he was wounded twice ; a pistol- 
shot making a hole through his thigh, and a musket-ball passing 
through the calf of his leg, and killing his third horse. He was 
carried to a hospital ; but he could not bear to be away from his 
company. The wounds that others would call severe, and gladly 
make the reasons for absence from service, he regarded as too 
slight to detain him in a hospital. He writes, " My captain 
came to see me ; and I told him that I could ride very well, and 
I wanted to go with him ; and, after he had seen the doctors, 
he took me back with him to the regiment." 

The next severe engagement at which he was present was at 
the Boynton Plank Road, Oct. 27, 1864; and this was his last. 
He received a wound from a Minie-ball that passed completely 
through the lower part of his chest from side to side, which 
proved to be fatal. 

His last communication to his friends at home was dated at 
Emory Hospital, Washington, D.C., and was written by the 
hand of an amanuensis. Tt says, — 

" I am wounded, as you know, by a Minie-ball, that came very 
near taking my life ; and it is not impossible that it may be the 
means of my death yet ; but I hope to live to see you again. 
Give my love to mother, and tell her I shall write as soon as 
I am able." 



JAMES ALVIN RICE. 383 

He lingered in much pain until Nov. 23, when death came to 
his relief. 

In closing this sketch, it is proper to say, that though, in some 
respects, his impetuous temperament made him appear exter- 
nally uninviting to refined characters, yet there is reason for 
believing that at heart there was more real goodness than is 
possessed by some others of smoother accomplishments. He 
entertained no malice, — not even toward his enemies. " If I am 
ever killed in battle," says he in a letter, " don't lay it to the 
rebel soldiers, but to those who caused the war." 

It cannot be reasonably believed that any one, after consider- 
ing the service he rendered with such ardent enthusiasm while 
a calvary-man, will be willing to speak, except in the mildest 
terms, of his indiscretion in deserting his post in the Eleventh 
Regiment of Infantry. 



Edmund Russell. 




DMUND RUSSELL, son of Josiah and Nancy 
Russell, was born at Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 8, 

1835. 

He was married to Nancy T. Campbell of 

Mercer, Me., Feb. 5, 1859; by whom he had one 
child, when the defence of his country called 
him from home. 

His enlistment in Capt. Graham's company, 
in the Thirty-ninth Infantry Regiment, occurred Aug. 8, 1862. 
He was five feet eight inches tall, with light complexion, hair, 
and eyes ; and was a farmer by occupation. 

Mr. Russell, soon after his return from the army, removed to 
a distant home in the West, where he now resides ; and no 
minute account of his army-experience has been obtained. 

He was with his regiment while on outpost-duty in Maryland, 
and until he had the fortune of a broken leg while in winter- 
quarters at Mitchel's Station, Va. A tree twenty inches in di- 
ameter, which he had cut down, in its fall made an unexpected 
rebound, and fastened his leg to the earth, breaking the bones 
below the knee in two places. This was on the 7th of March, 
1863. He was soon removed to Carver Hospital, in Washing- 
ton. On his sufficient recovery, he was sent to camp at Read- 
ville, Mass., and detailed as a cook; where he remained until 
near the close of the war. 



384 



John James Searl. 




•-^>»I^?^UDBURY, Mass., was the native place of this sol- 
3 dier, who was born March 23, 1835; John H. and 
Caroline (Belcher) Searl being his parents. 

The war had hardly commenced, when the Fourth 
Battalion of Militia went into camp at Fort In- 
dependence, in Boston harbor; and was recruited 
to a full regiment (Thirteenth Infantry) in July, 
1861. 

Mr. Searl enlisted, and joined this regiment as a private in 
Company H. He was a shoemaker by occupation ; stood five 
feet nine inches ; was of light complexion, dark hair, and blue 
eyes. He had been married more than a year to Rose Ham- 
mond of Wayland, and had one child, when he entered the 
army. 

On the last day of July, he, with the regiment, left the harbor 
by boat for the city of Washington, and immediately went on 
duty in Maryland. There was much stir in doing patrol and 
picket duties, and several alarms occurred when a brush with 
the rebels was expected ; but no severe service was encountered 
up to March i, 1862. 

At this time, extensive gunboat preparations were being 
made on the Upper Mississippi in order to open the navigation 
of that important stream for Union purposes from Cairo to 



49 



385 



386 JOHN JAMES SEARL. 

New Orleans. To man these boats, nine hundred men were 
detached from the several infantry regiments already in the 
field ; and the lot fell upon Mr. Searl to be one of them. 

His first transfer, Feb. 18, 1862, was to a receiving-ship 
stationed on the waters of the Mississippi, at Cairo. Here he 
was drilled in the management of heavy ordnance, and soon 
became an expert. Cairo was at this time nearly submerged 
by a sudden rise of twenty-five feet in the waters of the Ohio 
River. 

The river-boat " Louisville " being transformed into the gun- 
boat " Baron De Kalb," * she became the home of our volun- 
teer so long as she remained afloat, — a period of about sixteen 
months. She was a boat of two decks, carrying an armament 
of thirteen guns from nine to thirty-two inch caliber, with a 
crew of a hundred and eighty men. She was constructed so 
as to have twenty-eight inches of solid wood on her sides ; and 
these were covered by iron plates two inches thick. Her propel- 
ling power was two engines moving a stern paddle-wheel. The 
guns were arranged on the lower deck, — two at the stern, three 
at the bows, and four on each broadside. Capt. Paulding was 
commander. It should be mentioned, also, that among her 
means of defence, in case of an attempt to board her, was an 
arrangement of hose, by which the hot water from her boilers 
could be discharged on an enemy. 

On entering this boat, Mr. Searl received the appointment of 
corporal of the marines, and soon after was appointed captain 
of one of the heavy guns. The navigation of the Mississippi, 
as well as other rivers in rebel territory, was dangerous at this 
period from sunken torpedoes and other obstructions deposited 
for the destruction of the Union vessels: consequently, extreme 
caution became necessary. 

* By some annalists this boat is spoken of as " The Louisville," instead of " The De Kalb." 



JOHN JAMES SEARL. 387 

On the 3d of March, the fleet moved down the river to 
ColumlDus, in Kentucky. This was a very heavily-fortified 
stronghold of the rebels ; but they were aware of Admiral 
Foote's extensive gunboat preparations, and resolved to evacuate 
their forts here, and concentrate their armament at Island No. 
10, — a place admirably located to command the river, about fifty 
miles below Cairo. To this point the admiral now directed his 
attention. Gen. Pope had also concentrated a heavy land-force 
of Union troops six or eight miles below the island, and had 
defeated the rebels at New Madrid. Not only was the island 
itself thoroughly fortified, but there were several heavy shore- 
batteries on the opposite banks of the river. On these batteries 
and forts the heavy ordnance and mortars of Foote's fleet com- 
menced a tremendous bombardment, and continued it for nearly. 
a month, without very marked effect. 

The gun of which Mr. Searl was captain was an eighty-four- 
pounder, requiring eight men to manage it. In the early part 
of the firing, by some great carelessness in swabbing, a gun of 
this caliber, situated near him, burst while ramming home a 
shell, which also exploded. The concussion prostrated every 
man on deck. Two were killed outright, and forty were 
wounded. A fraQ:ment of the shell struck Mr. Searl in the 
abdomen, opening a hole, so that his intestines protruded. He 
also received a severe blow in the back by a ramrod, as he 
believes. It severed his sword-belt, tore his clothing, and 
created a lameness that continued several weeks. The fracture 
of the walls of the abdomen, though at first thought to be very 
severe, if not fatal, gave him far less trouble. 

Admiral Foote now resolved on an attempt to run his boats 
past the batteries to gain the lower side of the island. The 
gunboat " Carondelet " was prepared for the first trial by protect- 
ing her sides with bundles of hay. A day or two previous, he 



388 JOHN JAMES SEARL. 

had made a successful strategical attack on one of the island 
batteries, and spiked its guns. On the night of April 5 (which 
was very dark and rainy), it having been ascertained by some 
of the officers at what hour the guard of a rebel shore-battery 
was relieved, and the rebel countersign having been also secured, 
eight picked men were selected from the fleet to accomplish 
what seemed a very hazardous feat. It was nothing less than 
to feign themselves the rebel relief-guard (assuming their dress, 
&c.), and then to spike the guns of the battery. The latter 
work was assigned to Mr. Searl. The party started off in a 
boat, made their landing unperceived, and, a few minutes in 
advance of the relief-time, proceeded boldly to their work. It 
was a success. The countersign proved correct. The guard 
of rebels were duly relieved by their Yankee deceivers. Mr. 
Searl used his rat-tail files on seven of their heavy guns ; and at 
a concerted signal the corporal's lantern was extinguished, and 
all hands made good their escape to the boat. The success was 
equalled only by the boldness of the strategem. 

The next night, being cloudy and rainy, favored " The Caron- 
delet " in running the batteries. She was discovered, however, 
and fired at, but passed without injury. Another gunboat soon 
followed. Gen. Pope, under their protection, crossed the river 
to the Kentucky side ; and the rebels, seeing themselves now 
fairly cut off" above and below, with Pope's army flanking them, 
wisely surrendered. The army-stores captured were immense. 
They were not all saved, however ; for the rebels scuttled four 
transports laden with provisions before they surrendered. 

May I, the fleet anchored off Fort Wright, and opened a bom- 
bardment, which continued for a week. On the loth, eight rebel 
gunboats (three of which were rams, and iron-clad) came up 
the river, and attacked the Union boats. It was a brisk affair 
of two hours, in which their rams seriously injured the gun- 



JOHN JAMES SEARL. 389 

boat " Cincinnati ; " but, in return, their fleet was so essentially 
damaged, that they were glad to retire. It should be recorded 
that " The Baron De Kalb " conquered one rebel gunboat, and 
gave her in charge of a new boat, — " The Cairo," — with a crew 
of raw hands, who allowed the prize to escape, much to the 
excitement of the " De Kalb's " crew, who heartily cursed their 
inexperienced comrades of " The Cairo." All that saved " The 
Cincinnati " from capture by the rebels was the use of her 
hot-water hose when the enemy were about to board her. Mr. 
Searl believes that only two of the rebel boats escaped un- 
harmed. 

After several more days of bombardment of Fort Wright, it 
came to terms of capitulation ; and the flotilla proceeded down 
the river to Memphis, where it anchored June 5. It was hoped 
that the surrender of this city would be made without a fight, 
as no rebel force at first appeared ; but the next day, before the 
crews had taken breakfast, six rebel boats were seen approach- 
ing round a bend of the river, and within fifty rods. 

Cables were cut at once ; and with what steam could be com- 
manded the boats moved up stream, followed by the rebels. 
Foote had but five boats here ; three of which, fortunately, were 
rams. These rams were anchored a mile or more above ; and 
scarcely had the firing begun when they came down with a 
fearful rush. The first dash of " The Queen of the West " sent 
to the bottom the rebel boat " Gen. Price." Almost at the same 
instant the boilers of one other rebel boat burst, and terribly 
scalded her crew. The rebel boat " Beauregard " was soon dis- 
abled ; and the others ran ashore, one of them being fired by 
her crew. The fight lasted an hour and three minutes, and 
was conducted throughout with terrific fury. Only one of the 
Union boats was seriously injured, and that ( " The Lancaster ") 
was entirely disabled in the first part of the action. It was a 



3 go JOHN JAMES SEARL. 

most exciting scene, and was viewed by the entire mass of the 
citizens of Memphis, who stood in every available spot, anxiously 
awaiting the result which determined the fate of their city. It 
surrendered very quietly after this naval action. 

A notable instance of female spunk and cool bravery oc- 
curred when " The Beauregard " was disabled. The wife of the 
captain of that boat was on board : she was a most inveterate 
hater of the Northerners, and was determined that the fla^r of 
her husband's ship should never be struck to the Yankee power. 
She accordingly took possession of the halyards in person, and 
refused to haul down the colors, or to permit them to be struck 
by others. She was warned of serious consequences by Capt. 
Paulding; but, with curses, she dared his threats. He coolly 
levelled his pistol at her, and the next instant she fell dead. 

" The Baron De Kalb " was detailed to guard the city for two 
months; and the crew were allowed to go on shore by watches 
of twenty-four hours each to enjoy themselves ad libitum. 

About the ist of January, 1863, orders were received to join 
a flotilla under Commodore Porter for the capture of Arkansas 
Post, about a hundred and fifty miles up the Arkansas River. 
The naval force arrived before the place Jan. 8. A considera- 
ble body of infantry was landed, and gradually approached the 
fortifications.* 

The gunboats moved into position, and the cannonading 
began furiously. In fifteen minutes, " The De Kalb " was badly 
used up : six of her crew were killed, and fifteen wounded. To 
save her from complete destruction, she was run up close under 

* It should be mentioned here, that, for some misdemeanor, Mr. Searl was in irons at 
the commencement of tlie fight, with one day longer to serve out his time of punishment. The 
captain came to him, proposing a release, saying, " We want your help." — " I think I'd better 
fulfil my part of the contract," said Mr. Searl dryly. The captain then said, " Searl, I was 
sorry to punish you ; for you didn't really deserve it. Will you now call it square .'' " He gladly 
acceded, saying, " I don't like this racket overhead if I am not in it." 



JOHN JAMES SEARL. 39 1 

the guns of the fort, and shelled it vigorously. It was reported 
after the action that one shell from this boat killed twelve Eng- 
lish sailors in the fort. After fighting two hours and a half, 
the place surrendered. A case of "grit" in this fight is not 
unworthy of notice. A boy seventeen years old, on " The De 
Kalb," was struck by a cannon-shot, that took off his leg below 
the knee. As Mr. Searl passed him, he held up the bleeding, 
shattered stump, saying, " You see what I've got; but I don't 
care if we only whip 'em." Another case was of a man who 
had his neck fearfully torn open by a shell fragment. He was 
told to go below. " No," said he, " not till I have given 'em 
one shot more." 

After repairs were completed, " The De Kalb " was sent up 
White River with " The Mound City " to capture a fort. A 
rebel pilot was impressed, who rendered his service in guiding 
the boat up the stream, prompted by a cocked pistol held at his 
head. During the cannonading, a shot from the fort penetrated 
the steam-drum of " The Mound City," by which a hundred 
and thirty of her crew were severely scalded. Many of them 
leaped into the river to escape their torture, and, while swim- 
ming, were fired at by sharpshooters, and many of them killed. 
Fifty- two scalded men were picked up, and taken on board 
" The De Kalb." To revenge the barbarous conduct of the 
rebels in shooting defenceless men, the Union crews were all 
ordered to arm with pistols and cutlasses, effect a landing, and 
rush upon the fort, showing no quarter to any one. This order 
was firmly and fully executed. About ninety rebels were killed 
indiscriminately. 

" The De Kalb " remained here nearly a week ; in which time 
the bodies of seventy-two men who had jumped overboard, and 
were either shot or drowned, were recovered and buried. 

To aid in the reduction of Vicksburg was our next destina- 



392 JOHN JAMES SEARL. 

tion. With a small flotilla we first went up the Yazoo River, 
and took possession of the city of Yazoo. This was a dangerous 
trip, from the torpedoes in the river and the sharpshooters on 
the banks. The boat " Cairo " was blown up by a torpedo, and 
sunk. There was no general engagement, except a few minutes 
with a battery. The city surrendered. 

Among Gen. Grant's plans for reaching the rear of Vicks- 
burg was to float his forces in transports through artificial chan- 
nels made by cutting trees in the bayous, so abundantly found in 
this region. " The Baron De Kalb " accompanied this expedi- 
tion. Much of it was slow work : eighteen miles only were 
accomplished in eighteen days. It was a curious sight, so many 
vessels steering inland where such things had never been before. 
The difficulties increased : sharpshooters multiplied on all sides. 
The plan was abandoned, and a safe return accomplished. 

The next plan was to run the gantlet of the batteries, and so 
reach the rear of the city from the southern side. Every thing 
was ready. Mr. Searl and several of his comrades were now 
serving some months over their enlisted time ; and, when the 
order came to move, fifty-three of the men mutinied. A body 
of the marines was drawn up with loaded revolvers ; and the 
captain gave the mutineers five minutes to return to duty, or be 
fired into. At near the expiration of this time, all but three 
succumbed ; and these finally yielded. " The De Kalb " had 
been so roughly handled by the enemy, that she was in a leaky 
condition ; and it was found, on starting, that she had so large an 
amount of water in her hold, that it was deemed imprudent to 
put her through : so her crew escaped the danger, but saw the 
whole transaction. As a punishment for their refractory pranks, 
twenty-five of the mutineers were landed, and compelled to cut 
a trench from the river, in an exposed jDOsition, up to a battery, 
and to work it fifteen days. 



yOflN JAMES SEARL. 393 

Here Mr. Searl was taken sick with fever, and was c^lad to be 
returned to boat-quarters. " The Baron De Kalb " was again j 

ordered up the Yazoo ; and, while quietly proceeding on her des- \ 

tination, she encountered a torpedo, whose explosion completely ! 

shattered her bows, and she quickly sank. The water was suffi- 
ciently shoal to allow the men to stand on the hurricane-deck, 
submerged to their waists. \ 

Mr. Searl did no more fighting, but remained in surgeon's ] 

care until the surrender of Vicksburg. j 

He visited the place rendered famous by a long siege and a i 

most severe and destructive bombardment ; and, while in the I 

city, received his discharge. j 

He was still under medical care when he steamed up the river | 

on his way home, not without a sense of honest pride that he i 

had faithfully remained more than his stipulated term in ; 

efficiently serving his country. ; 

After his recovery, he again enlisted to serve on the frontier; \ 

and was sent to Ogdensburg, N.Y., where he remained for six \ 

months. 1 

He now resides in Boston, Mass. ! 



George Anderson Spofford. 




gigantic 



EORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD partook 
fully of the spirit of patriotic enthusiasm that was 
surging across the country during the spring 
and summer of 1862, when the dangers that 



of 1862, when the dan; 
threatened its demolition assumed a 
form not dreamed of during the first year of 
the war ; and when the call by the President 
was issued, in 1862, for more men to enrol their 
names in defence of the long-cherished principles of freedom, he 
freely gave himself to the service. 

His enlistment is dated July 31, 1862 ; and he was mustered 
into the service as a private in Company D, Thirty-fifth Regi- 
ment of Infantry, then recruiting at Camp Stanton. 

The descriptive list shows him to have been five feet four and 
a half inches tall, with light complexion and hair, and brown 
eyes, and a shoemaker by occupation. 

His parents were David and Elizabeth Spofford ; and his birth 
occurred at Wayland, Sept. 5, 1842. He was an only son, whose 
departure for the perilous duties of a soldier's life caused emo- 
tions in the home-circle that none but those in a similar condition 
can fully know. 

On the twenty-second day of August, the order for the regi- 
ment to report at Washington was carried into effect by a rail- 
394 



GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 395 

road-ride to Boston, and a tiresome march through the streets 
of that city, loaded down as each soldier was with scores of arti- 
cles that proved by this first three-miles' tramp to be comforts 
of a very burdensome nature. 

By rail to Providence, by boat to New York, and thence by 
steam-cars to the capital of their country, gave the soldiers some 
opportunities to see new sights, and thus keep up an excite- 
ment, but for which the hearts of some might have sickened 
with the thoughts of leaving friends and home for the grim 
realities of war. 

Washington, with its mighty confusion of moving military 
forces, with its dirty streets patroled by numerous swine, placed 
in contrast with its massive and rich public edifices, altogether 
gave no very favorable impression to our soldier as the seat of 
that o-overnment he had come to defend. 

Two weeks of camp-duty on Virginia soil hardly fitted the 
boys of the Thirty-fifth for field-service in the corps of Gen. 
Burnside, and attached to the brigade of that active officer. Gen. 
Ferrero. But such was their lot ; and by a series of easy move- 
ments, in light marching-order, across the territory of Maryland, 
our soldier with his comrades found himself within hearing of 
those terrible sounds of actual battle into which he must soon 
rush and bear his part. 

Of this march little need further be said : it had its incidents 
of novelty and fun. The bivouac on a warm night was quite as 
enjoyable, perhaps, as a bed at home ; and good appetites gave 
zest to the soldier's rations, especially when a little foraging 
added thereto a slice of fresh pork or the leg of a turkey. 

Arriving at Middletown on the 13th of September, the regi- 
ment was placed on picket-duty, with orders to exercise ex- 
treme caution, being near the enemy. The next morning, the 
smoke of the battle at South Mountain was in view. In the 



396 GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 

afternoon, the regiment was moved to the front. Every thing 
but arms and ammunition was left in the rear. 

The men were ordered into Hne of battle at about four, p.m. ; 
which was effected in good order, but with considerable noise. 

The enemy were concealed, and their first volley disclosed 
their position. Their bullets whizzed harmless over the regi- 
ment ; but Gen. Reno, commanding the division, was fatally hit. 

At the close of the day, the men of the Thirty-fifth had be- 
come mixed up with other troops, owing to the excitement and 
their inexperience in field-movements. Lieut. Hudson of Com- 
pany D rallied part of the company, and said he would lead 
them. The firing was kept up till late in the evening; when 
those who wished lay down on the ground for rest and sleep. 

During this first battle, our soldier says he was much excited 
by the scenes and occurrences of the conflict, which made an 
impression on his mind never to be forgotten. 

This initiatory conflict was soon followed by the terrific con- 
test of the two great armies at Antietam, which occurred on the 
17th of September. "We formed in a cornfield, under fire of 
the rebels; then moved in column down parallel with the river 
to a bridge, supporting the Fifty-first New- York Regiment. We 
were within easy range of the rebels on the high banks the other 
side of the river. The bridge was crossed at double-quick move- 
ment ; and then, filing to the right, we rushed up to the crest of 
the hill. Here we were brought within range of some batteries, 
that immediately sent a furious discharge of shot and shells into 
our ranks. At first we lay close to the ground, but soon re- 
treated over the brow of the ridge." 

While here, Mr. Spofford was struck by the fragment of a 
shell, inflicting a flesh-wound in the back and upper part of his 
leg. Though not very severe, it bled profusely ; and he was told 
to go to the rear. Assisted by John N. Morse (a Wayland com- 



GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 397 

rade), he left the field, and was conducted to a house where his 
wound was dressed, and was then taken in an ambulance to 
Spring Hospital. The next day, he was started, with others 
who were wounded, for the city of Washington. 

On arriving at Middletown, he met several of his comrades 
who had been left in camp at Arlington Heights, from whom he 
received letters from home, always so welcome to the soldier. 

At Washington, he was assigned to Judiciary-square Hos- 
pital. With excellent care both by surgeons and nurses, and 
in the clean hospital habiliments, it was a great relief to the 
wounded men to leave the field-service for a while, even though 
the pain of fractured bones and inflamed wounds, with not the 
best of rations, were partial drawbacks to the comforts of the 
place. 

To mitigate the bread-and-molasses fare, a few boxes of good 
things from home came with appetizing relish. Religionists of 
different classes, seeking to benefit the soldiers spiritually, cer- 
tainly gave relief to the tedium of confinement by their meet- 
ings for prayer and exhortation. After a six-weeks' stay, 
compelled by muscular weakness in the wounded limb, the time 
began to move heavily. Any thing was desired for a change. 
A visit to home on furlough could not be obtained : an im- 
mediate return to his comrades was not permitted. Then came 
an order to report to Camp Distribution, at Alexandria. 

This camp was in striking contrast with that which he had 
just left. Every thing was in an uncleanly condition, and 
sleeping-places were wofully infested with vermin. Hard work 
on a fort was required of the men. 

Thanksgiving Day was near at hand, and a promised box of 
" goodies " was daily expected ; when an order was received to 
join the regiment, then encamped before Fredericksburg, Va. 
The box of good things never reached its destined owner. 



398 GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 

Camp was reached, by way of Aquia Creek and Belle Plain, 
on the day of General Thanksgiving; and Mr, Spofford was 
indeed thankful to take again by the hand his comrades, and 
find them all safe. One thing, however, detracted from the 
gladness of the occasion. The frowning batteries on St. Mary's 
and the surrounding heights, on the rebel side of the Rappa- 
hannock, gave fearful foreboding of battle-trials drawing near. 
During the few weeks that now passed in ominous inaction, the 
men were employed in making huts and barracks in all styles 
of architecture usually found in armies, some of which presented 
a very pretty and picturesque appearance. 

The bloody day at length came, preceded, on the nth of 
December, by a tremendous bombardment. 

Major Willard was now in command of the regiment. After 
crossing the pontoon-bridge, the men stacked arms near the 
river, on the right ; while the enemy's shot and shells whizzed 
overhead, and occasionally dropped and burst quite near. Mr. 
Spofford was detailed as guard over the body of Chaplain Ful- 
ler, whose lifeless form had been recognized.* 

The regiment was marched through the city to the left, and 
formed for an advance on the breastworks of the enemy. Here 
Major Willard received a fatal shot; and the regimental com- 
mand fell to Capt. Andrews. The advance was ordered, and 
carried, in the face of artillery and infantry fires at short ranges, 
to a point where some protection was afforded. It was a most 
terrible ordeal to pass ; and nothing but a strong sense of duty 
or of determined bravery enabled our boys to meet the fearful 
trial. Late in the day, the regiment was relieved by other troops, 
and retired to the city. At eleven o'clock, p.m., on the next day, 
it was ordered up on picket. Mr. Spofford was detailed as a 

* Rev. A. B. Fuller had several personal friends in Wayland, and was well known by the 
citizens generally. 



GEORGE ANDERSOX SPOFFORD. 399 

vedette. It was a most arduous post ; but at length came the 
order, in whispers, to retire noiselessly from the exposed posi- 
tion. The main army had already recrossed the muffled 
bridges. 

Thus ended the bloody and ineffectual effort to drive the 
rebel army from its strongly-fortified position. The dead were 
buried ; the wounded were cared for. But this was not all the 
detriment the brave boys in blue received. The last night of 
picket-duty on the battle-field, where the soil was worked into 
mud and the air was damp and chilly, brought severe sickness 
to many. Mr. Spofford was in hospital-quarters during two weeks, 
prostrated by typhoid-fever. This was no desirable place. Sur- 
geon Lincoln bore the character of a hard-hearted, careless phy- 
sician, to whose hands none would resign themselves except in 
the last extremity. It was fortunate that a drunken fit would 
occasionally fall to the lot of the chief surgeon, and the care of 
the sick to his subordinate. Dr. Clark, a man of totally different 
character. 

The recovery from this sickness seemed to place Mr. Spofford 
on a firmer basis of health than he had enjoyed since entering 
the army. 

The remainder of the winter of 1862-63, until Feb. 9, was 
passed in a very quiet manner. At that date, the soldiers of the 
Ninth Army Corps left the muddy camp at Falmouth without 
much regret. By railroad, they were taken to Aquia Creek; and 
from there proceeded, by a very pleasant boat-ride, down the 
Potomac to Hampton Roads. 

During the remainder of the winter. Gen. Burnside's corps 
lay quietly encamped at Newport News. Near the close of 
March, it embarked for Baltimore, and from thence proceeded 
by railroad to Cincinnati. The Thirty-fifth arrived in the mid- 
dle of the night. After a good lunch, the men were taken 



400 GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 

across the river on ferry-boats to Covington, where they lay 
down in the streets, or anywhere else, for a few hours' sleep. 

Two days after, the regiment was moved on cars to Paris, Ky., 
where it remained over Sunday. The next day, it performed 
a very hard march of twenty miles to Mt. Sterling, and en- 
camped on the outside of the town, where, for two weeks, it 
remained watching for guerillas that did not venture in sight. 

About the first of May, march was made through Lancaster 
to Winchester. No rebel troops were found, except small 
squads ; and consequently there was no fighting while Gen. 
Burnside's corps remained in Kentucky. Marching in detach- 
ments from place to place in a leisurely manner, with encamp- 
ments for a few days at a time, constituted the chief military 
duties. 

While at Stanford, in the southern central part of the State, 
about the first of June, orders were received to pack up. One 
day of rapid marching brought the regiment to Nicholasville, 
where cars were taken for Cincinnati. The destination was un- 
derstood to be Vicksburg, Miss. Opportunities were now to be 
presented for seeing portions of the country not dreamed of by 
the "boys in blue" when in their quiet homes of New England. 

At Cairo, the regiment embarked on board a steamboat on 
the waters of the great Mississippi. Memphis, a fine city in 
Tennessee, was reached in two or three days. It is built mostly 
of brick, and is located very beautifully on the high banks of 
the river. The boys were paid off here, and had an oppor- 
tunity to go on shore to see the place, and spend their money 
for other fare than army-rations. 

Two days more steaming down the river brought the troops 
in sight of Vicksburg. This city was under siege by the land- 
forces of Gen. Grant, and by gun and mortar boats, that, at the 
time of Gen. Burnside's arrival, were giving a constant and 



GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 4OI 

vigorous bombardment. When witnessed at night, it was a 
splendid sight to observe the sweep of the shells, and their ex- 
plosion over the fated city. 

The first landing-place was just above the city, on the oppo- 
site side of the river. After a useless march of several miles, 
the troops re-embarked, and steamed up stream about two miles, 
to the mouth of the Yazoo River, into which they entered, and 
passed up about ten miles. Here they landed, and proceeded 
to build breastworks to protect Gen. Grant's besieging land-force 
from any attempt of rebel troops to assault them in the rear, and 
thus raise the siege. It was soon ascertained that the city had 
surrendered to Gen. Grant ; and orders were received to pursue 
and attack Johnston's army. 

The extreme heat of the weather, and an inadequate supply 
of good water, made the marches terribly severe : but the men 
were generally in good spirits after Grant's victory ; and, under 
the hope of capturing Johnston's army, they pressed on. 

The rebels made a stand at Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, 
and protected themselves by intrenching. Our forces advanced 
, on their works gradually, throwing up lines of rifie-pits and 
breastworks, until they quietly retreated one night. For a 
few days here, there was a good deal of firing on both sides, 
though no regular " stand-up " fight. 

The march back to the landing-place on the Yazoo was as 
hard to endure as the march out. 

All hands were glad to embark, and make their way towards 
a more desirable climate than that of the State of Mississippi. 
Cincinnati was reached about the middle of August. After a 
few days, Gen. Burnside's command commenced a march 
through Kentucky, over roads and through many places that 
were passed in the spring campaign, and then crossed the Cum- 
berland Mountains into the State of Tennessee. 



402 GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 

After a series of movements in close vicinity of rebel forces, 
but without actual conflict, a trial of arms was found inevitable. 
It was not a pleasant thought to be in the heart of an enemy's 
country, and closely followed by a superior force. 

For several days in succession, the Thirty-fifth was expect- 
ing a fight, as it heavily retreated, amidst cold storms and over 
muddy roads, from Loudon to Knoxville, where Gen Burnside 
made a firm stand with his army. The place was soon sur- 
rounded by the rebel forces. 

Brisk fatigue-duty was now the order of the day. The 
Thirty-fifth worked at first in building a dam across a stream, 
that its course might be changed to the front of our lines. 
Skirmishes were not unfrequent, and added to the excitement 
of the daily cannonading. After the siege was continued for 
about three weeks, a desperate charge was made by the rebels, 
much to their loss. A week later, and they retired, greatly to 
the relief of the besieged troops. 

During this time, and for a considerable period subsecjuent, 
rations were very greatly reduced. Some days, a single ear of 
corn was all that was issued per man. Many of the soldiers 
had worn out their shoes and stockings in the long marches 
through Kentucky and Tennessee; and some were obliged to go 
barefooted, for a time, during extremely cold weather. But 
general health prevailed ; and, on the retirement of the enemy, 
the men were in pretty good spirits. 

After the siege, there was some skirmishing several miles 
from the city, in which the Thirty-fifth took part. 

About the middle of March, 1864, Gen. Burnside's troops 
left the State. It was a time of rejoicing, though a tramp of 
some hundreds of miles was before them, over bad mountain- 
roads. 

On reaching Nicholasville, Ky., they entered the rail-cars, 



GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 403 

and were transported to Cincinnati, and thence to Annapolis, 
Md., which was reached near the first of April. Here a much- 
needed repose of several weeks awaited them. It seemed quite 
near home after the long journeys during the past year. Let- 
ters were frequent ; and visits from some of their friends from 
home were very gratefully received. 

At the close of April occurred a grand movement of the 
corps to Washington, and thence into Virginia. 

" On to Richmond ! " under Gen. Grant, was now the watch- 
word. 

The Thirty-fifth marched on the 4th of May, and forded the 
River Rapidan the next day. Owing to the smallness of its 
numbers, it was detailed to guard the division-train ; which 
duty was performed until the brigade had fought its way to 
Spottsylvania. At this time. Company D was detailed to guard 
an ammunition-!rain, and did not rejoin the regiment until the 
last of June. The Thirty-fifth was then, and had been for about 
a month, acting as an engineer-corps. 

At the explosion of the mine under a rebel fort on the 30th 
of July, the Thirty-fifth was advanced to the crater, and was set 
at work to make it into shape for a defence to our troops ; which 
was done with all possible speed. But these operations of the 
engineers were soon suspended by the rush of men into the cra- 
ter. Every thing was confusion. The different organizations 
became completely broken up under the effects of crowding in 
to seek shelter from the fearful cross-fires of the enemy ; and 
soon the crater itself was reached by an exact range of shelling. 

Mr. Spofford left it, and made an excavation for self-defence, 
in which he remained until all his comrades had retreated back 
to their old lines. He was supposed, for a time, to have been 
either killed, or taken prisoner ; but, much to their surprise, he 
eluded the watch of the rebels, and returned in the edge of the 



404 GEORGE ANDERSON SPOFFORD. 

evening with his spade and musket "all right." The next and 
last fight in which Mr. Spofford was actively engaged was at the 
Weldon Railroad. Here the regiment was much exposed ; and, 
during the action, he was disabled by being struck in the foot by 
a solid shot that had partly spent its force. It produced a severe 
contusion and sprains, which kept him from duty about three 
weeks. At this time he was offered the alternatives of a cor- 
poralship in the corps of engineers, or to take the position of 
headquarters' cook. Not wholly recovered from the effects of 
the- foot-sprain, he chose the latter, and continued at head- 
quarters during the remainder of the war.' 

During the whole period of his service, he had no oppor- 
tunity of visiting his home and friends ; and the close of the 
conflict was therefore welcomed with peculiar gratitude. 

With a hearty aversion to the rough scenes of war, he sees, 
in the great good accomplished, amj^le satisfaction for all the 
unpleasant appliances and perilous exposures to which his sol- 
dier-life subjected him. 

He has since been united by marriage with Maria Giles of 
Wayland, where he now resides, engaged as a manufacturer of 
shoes. 



EviNSON Stone. 




)^ON. HENRY WILSON of Natick, Mass., a 
^ senator in Congress, and then holding the impor- 
f\ tant position of chairman of the Committee on 
jl Military Affairs during the war, felt prompted, 
atiJC^r during the recess of Congress in 1861, to set the 
J3^^'^ example of raising a regiment by his own personal 
y(^^\ efforts. The Twenty-second Infantry was the 
(7>j' result; over whose destinies he presided as com- 
mander until pressing duties demanded his presence at Wash- 
ington. 

On the roll of this regiment Mr. Stone's name is recorded 
among the very first, under date of Sept. 12, 1861, in Capt. 
Whorfs Company (G). In stature he was five feet nine inches, 
with light complexion, gray eyes, and dark hair ; being a car- 
penter by occupation. 

Nevinson and Mary Stone were his parents ; and his birth 
occurred at Northborough, Mass., Dec. 18, 1824. His marriage 
with Sarah Whiting of Natick was on the 22d of June, 1852; 
and, when he entered the service, he had three children. 

Mr. Stone was not of robust constitution ; yet he felt, that, 
however little might be the aid he could render, it was fully due 
to his country. 

From his very complete diary kept during the time he re- 

405 



406 E VINSON STONE. 

mained in the army, the incidents composing the following nar- 
rative are chiefly taken. 

Carrip-life at Lynnfield passed wearily with him. Nearly all 
his comrades were many years his juniors ; and, in his own com- 
pany, a large share were foreigners. In both these respects, his 
disappointment was the cause of some feelings of discontent, 
that required time and the active duties of the field fully to 
overcome. 

These commenced with the departure of the regiment for a 
southern destination on the 8th of October. He placed but 
small value on the parades in Boston, and on the formal ad- 
dresses by official civilians to soldiers whose fatigues in march- 
ing required repose rather than to be kept in standing posture 
for an hour's often useless harangue. The loss of one of his 
most intimate comrades, William Noyes, who fell overboard, 
and was drowned, in crossing the river from New York to 
Jersey City, was an event most painfully felt. 

At Philadelphia, no previous announcement of the regiment's 
approach was given ; yet on their entrance a signal-gun was 
fired, and in fifteen minutes tables were spread, and loaded with 
refreshments, which were distributed among the men by the 
ministering hands of ladies chiefly, constituting a most ac- 
ceptable and long-to-be-remembered reception. 

The progress towards Washington was of the slowest kind. 
The train moved so tardily, that often the men would jump out 
of the cars, and walk. So many needless delays occurred, that 
at last Col. Wilson instituted an investigation. The chief cause 
was found to be the " secesh " proclivities of the engineer. 
A halt was ordered, and the rebel engineer dismissed unceremo- 
niously. Two men selected from the regiment were put in his 
place, who, after satisfying themselves that the locomotive was 
all right, were ordered to take the train to its destination in 



E VINSON STONE. 407 

the shortest time possible. A double-quick jolt was the con- 
sequence for the rest of the way. 

Washington was reached Oct. 11; and, two days after, 
the regiment marched to Hall's Hill, in Virginia, where it spent 
the winter. 

Oct. 26, a grand review gave the soldiers an opportunity 
to see Major-Gen. McClellan and other distinguished men. The 
29th was a sad day for the boys, whose affection for Col. Wilson, 
prompted by his genuine spirit of kindness for them all, had 
become deeply rooted. On that day he bade them adieu with 
tearful emotion. His address on the occasion was never for- 
gotten. 

Col. Gove succeeded to the command. The first trial of 
young soldiers on picket, especially if near the enemy, is often 
attended with some queer feelings of personal danger, and some- 
times by equally queer results : as when a comrade of Mr. 
Stone, one dark night, let fly the contents of his rifle at a harm- 
less fire-bug that would not halt at his command ; he declaring it 
to be a lighted match in the hand of a rebel, whom he fancied 
he could distinctly see. Stockade tents were erected, proving 
very comfortable, but were not always proof against high winds, 
one of which, on the 24th of February, unroofed twenty-one of 
these shelters, allowing the torrents of rain to completely deluge 
the establishments and their tenants. 

Christmas was a gala-day. The officers' quarters were most 
beautifully trimmed, and the bands gave their best music to 
the occasion. 

The usual routine, with an occasional alarm to test the sol- 
dier's courage and alacrity, sweetened by letters and an occa- 
sional box of refreshments from home, constituted the chief 
experience at Hall's Hill. After the usual number of exciting 
rumors, that " we are to move to-morrow," orders came ; and on 



408 E VINSON STONE. 

the loth of March, 1862, the regiment broke camp, and marched 
to Fairfax Court House (a village of about twenty houses), and, 
two days after, to a camp near Alexandria, which city was en- 
tered on the 19th in a drenching rain. Here provost-guard 
duty was performed for two days ; and then the troops embarked 
on board the steamer " Dan. Webster " for Fortress Monroe. 

These exposures to cold rains began to affect very seriously 
Mr. Stone's rheumatic difficulties, which made it hard at times 
to fulfil a soldiers duty ; and he was not sorry to learn that a 
warmer region was to be his destination. 

The troops were landed on the 24th, and marched to Hamp- 
ton, about six miles. On the 27th, other troops were joined for 
reconnoitring purposes ; and after a fruitless march of eight 
miles, in which all the sly places were duly examined with 
careful eyes, the party returned to camp pretty well tired. 

On the 5th of April, on the way to Yorktown, the regiment 
was first under fire, in which one man was killed, and several 
wounded. 

The soldiers now found themselves on "ticklish grounds." 
The rebels had at this time adopted that fiendish method of 
extirpating their foes by planting the ground pretty thickly with 
torpedoes; and many a Union soldier met his death-wound, at a 
moment least suspected, by treading on a fatal spot. Mr, Stone 
unsuspectingly picked up a piece of cloth one day, but dropped 
it with a shudder when he found a wire attached, heard a 
cap-explosion, and saw and heard the hissing fuze within a foot 
of him. Luckil}'-, the fuze was imperfect, and the torpedo re- 
mained harmless. He afterwards unearthed the infernal instru- 
ment with his bayonet. 

Here, before Norfolk, the men were hard tasked on Gen. 
McClellan's plan of intrenchments, and every day were under 
more or less shelling and sharpshooting from the enemy. It was 



El'/XSON STONE. 



409 



a month of toil and exposure, that caused much grumbling and 
sickness. 

After it was found that the rebels had left, the Twenty-second 
was the first to enter the town ; and though under strict orders 
not to forage, yet the boys helped themselves pretty freely, — at 
the stores especially. While a guard performed its duty strictly 
in front of a store, there was a rear-guard, established without 
due authority, whose members took good care to protect their 
comrades in the interior of the buildinor. 

O 

''May 9. — Went up the river in a steamer, and encamped at 
West Point, a place of considerable importance at the junction 
of the Pamunkey and Mattapony Rivers, and connected by rail- 
road with Richmond. 

"■May 15. — Marched in a severe rain, with the mud knee- 
deep, to White-house Landing, where the railroad crosses the 
Pamunkey River. This was a very hard march. The whole 
country seemed alive with troops moving in various directions 
from day to day. The Twenty-second was on the move every 
day, and, while near Hanover Court House, did some skirmish- 
ing with the rebels. On the 2 2d, it was within twelve miles of 
the rebel capital ; and, on the 26th, encamped at Gaines's Mills. 

''May 28. — Went on a reconnoissance seven or eight miles 
towards Richmond. The whole party got badly frightened by a 
report of two cavalry scouts, who came riding furiously with the 
cry, ' The whole rebel army are moving down on us ! ' A panic 
was the result. At the great battle of Fair Oaks, the regiment 
was within distinct hearing-distance, but did not cross the 
Chickahominy, being engaged in building and repairing 
bridges." 

June 26, at Mechanicsville, the regiment was hotly engaged; 
but Mr. Stone was now under the hands of the doctor, 
completely disabled by exposures, and on the next day was 



4IO E VINSON STONE. 

conveyed in an ambulance to White-house Landing, a distance 
of about fifteen miles. 

On an alarm a day or two after, the tents were all burned, 
and all hands hurried on board boats, and taken down the 
river, and thence to the hospital at York, Penn. ; where they 
arrived July i. Here Mr. Stone remained under treatment 
until his discharge for disability, Nov. 2, 1862. 

The hospital at York he reports as under the strictest mili- 
tary regime. He saw one invalid shot by the guard for passing 
the lines. 

Mr. Stone still resides in Wayland. 



John Edmund Stone. 




N the 14th of July, 1864, Mr. Stone became a 
soldier in the United-States Army of Volunteers 
by enlisting for a hundred days in Company K 
(Capt. Wales), of the Forty-second Regiment of 
Infantry. 

His service consisted almost entirely of patrol 
duty in and near Alexandria, Va. ; and, during the 
period of his soldier-life, no remarkable experiences 
fell to his lot. 

He received an honorable discharge, dated at Readville, 
Mass., Nov. II, 1864. 

He was five feet nine inches in height, of light complexion 
and hair, with gray eyes. His occupation was shoemaking. 
He was a son of John and Sally H. (Kimble) Stone; born at 
Natick, Mass., April 7, 1832; and resides at present in Way- 
land. 



411 



Lewis C. Swan. 




A R. SWAN belongs to that class of men who 
choose to be rather reticent concerning their 
military experience ; and the very few data fur- 
^ nished constitute but a very inadequate founda- 
tion for constructing a narrative covering nearly 
three years of army-service. 

He was, without doubt, a good soldier ; true to 
his duty on all occasions ; and though a remark 
of his indicates an opinion that the war was largely conducted 
on principles of personal speculation and base money-getting, 
yet it is believed that he entered the army with some just views 
of the issues at stake, and with a wish to render personal aid 
with a truly loyal spirit. 

As a companion in camp and on the march, his genial char- 
acteristics served to cheer many a dreary spot in the experience 
of his comrades, especially as he related his " sailor yarns " 
(which he was very fond of doing), some of which demanded 
the exercise of considerable credulity on the part of his listen- 
ers for their full belief. But, aside from the sailor's privilege of 
"stretching," his stock of general information, derived from no 
inconsiderable amount of travel, was such as to command atten- 
tion, and to commend him to the respect of even some of the 



LEWIS C. SIVAN. 



413 



regimental officers. During the latter part of the war, he was 
detailed by Lieut.-Col. Hudson as his orderly. 

The Thirty-fifth Infantry Regiment was the organization (in 
Company D) to which his army-experience attaches, and in 
which he is believed to have shared very fully in all its cam- 
paigns ; but of his personal incidents in camp, on the march, or 
on the battle-field, but little can be said. 

The writer saw him a few days after the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, Dec. 13, 1862; and his bandaged head showed a severe 
contusion, produced, as he supposed, by the fragment of a gun- 
stock, set in motion by some rebel projectile. 

Comrades report him as never deficient in courage ; and he 
is believed to have been present and to have taken part in all 
the engagements of his regiment. He reports himself as having 
never been on the sick-list while in the army; although, from 
some special debility, he secured a passage by railroad from East 
Tennessee to Maryland, instead of marching with the regiment 
over the rough passes of the Cumberland Mountains. 

Mr. Swan was the son of Sumner and Phebe Swan ; born at 
Phillipston, Mass., Oct. 3, 1835. In stature he was five feet five 
inches and a half, with light complexion, auburn hair, and brown 
eyes. At the time of his enlistment (July 31, 1862), he was en- 
gaged as a shoemaker ; but he had previously been, to some 
extent, a sailor. His discharge is dated June 9, 1865; and he 
now resides in the State of Rhode Island. 



Hiram Leonard Thurston. 




f IRAM LEONARD THURSTON was a son of 



John and 



Thurston. His native place was 



Oxford, Me. 

Sept. 3, 1852, he was married to Dora ColHns, a 
native of Ireland, by whom he had four children ; 
the youngest being but ten days old when the hus- 
band and father joined the army, Aug. i, 1862. 
His complexion was rather light, with light hair 
and eyes ; and he was five feet eight inches tall. For some 
reason, he very seldom wrote to his family ; and the personal in- 
cidents of his army-life have been scantily supplied. 

From the few sources of present information, it is but fair to 
infer that he did not fulfil his duties as a soldier with that enthu- 
siasm felt by some others. 

Nothing of special importance occurred from the time his 
regiment (Thirty-eighth Infantry) left Massachusetts, Sept. 24, 
1862, until April 9 of the following year, when he went with his 
comrades on the Western Louisiana expedition. He was pres- 
ent at the battle of Bisland, and also at the siege of Port Hudson, 
and shared in the perils then encountered. 

But the most trying time to his soldier qualities was at the 
Red-river expedition, conducted as well as planned by Gen. 



HIRAM LEONARD THURSTON. 



415 



Banks. The troops went by boat from Baton Rouge, and landed 
at Grand Ecore, ten miles below Alexandria. 

At five, P.M., April 21, the march of forty-five miles to Cane 
River was begun, which was accomplished at sundown the next 
day. It was a severe test of the soldier's endurance. A few 
miles beyond the river, the enemy lay in force. Early the next 
morning the river was forded, the line of battle formed, and skir- 
mishers thrown out. Among the latter Mr. Thurston took his 
place. The advance was made, and a charge ordered ; and sig- 
nal success was gained. 

While returning from this expedition, the rebels were again 
encountered at the Plains of Mansura, where the Thirty-eighth 
was for several hours under a heavy fire of artillery. 

Mr. Thurston now became a victim of sickness; and from this 
time forward, though he moved with the regiment, he was com- 
pelled to report " on the sick-list." 

On the 20th of July, the regiment embarked under sealed 
orders, and proceeded to Hampton Roads. Here orders awaited 
to report at Washington, D.C. ; and this place was reached 
July 30, at two, P.M. 

Mr. Thurston was found to be in so exhausted a condition as 
to require his immediate conveyance to a hospital. He longed 
for a return to his friends and his home. In the strong hope 
that he would be soon able to do so, he refrained from in- 
forming them of his sickness ; and his wife knew not of it until 
she received the news of his death, which occurred Aug. 19, 
1864.* 

His emaciated remains were brought home, and interred in 
the cemetery at Natick. 

* The disease of which he died was chronic diarrhoea. 



Thomas Francis Wade. 




N the past history of the United States, and especially 
during its conflicts with Great Britain in 1812, there 
is a just feeling of pride in its naval force, which, 
though comparatively small, has been illustriously 
efficient. 

In suppressing the rebellion of the Southern States 
in 1 86 1, with their thousands of miles of seacoast 
and navigable rivers, and hundreds of important ports 
open to foreign supplies, an efficient navy became at once an 
important desideratum for the North. Yet an inexperienced 
cabinet-officer of this department allowed the most important 
naval post of the country to fall at the outset into rebel hands, 
with its score of ships and valuable material ; while the rebel 
plans during the administration that preceded the outbreak had 
sent to remote quarters many of the most important national 
vessels. But patriotism pervaded the sea as well as the land 
when the national flag was dishonored at the South ; and with 
Rear-Admirals Dupont, Foote, and Farragut, and Commodores 
Davis, Porter, and other distinguished naval men, there rose up 
also a host of seamen, from commercial ship-commanders to the 
boys of the forecastle, ready and eager to defend the stars and 
stripes, under whose protection they had sailed across oceans 
and floated in foreign ports. 



THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 



417 



Not the least enthusiastic among these was Capt. T. F. Wade, 
then navigating in the waters of the Pacific. \\\ response to a 
pressing invitation, this officer has submitted in his own seaman- 
Hke style an epitomized statement of his positions and services 
during the war ; and though wanting in many of the details, 
that, if furnished, would add still greater brilliancy and interest 
to his narrative, yet for terseness, and graphic solidity of ex- 
pression, it can hardly be equalled, and must stand as a stanch 
and worthy memorial of his patriotic service. 

"Sandwich Islands, Honolulu, Dec. 20, i860. 

" I have just arrived from the wreck of my ship, ' The Silver 
Star.' 'What is the news.?' — 'Lincoln is elected President!' 
South Carolina has seceded ! War is expected, — Civil War ! ' 

" ' Well, I have carried the old flag around the world many 
times ; and Fll fight for it now.' Such were the words I uttered 
on the above date. 

''Jan. 20, 1 86 1. — Arrived at San Francisco, bound home to 
Wayland. The city all in commotion ; the secesh spirit jubi- 
lant ; loyal men downcast. ' What next .'* ' every one asks his 
friend. 

" Jan. 30. — Homeward bound on the steamer. On one side 
of the deck a small party of Southerners, sullen and spiteful ; 
on the other, a band of loyal men singing that glorious old song, 
'The Star-spangled Banner; ' and, as it ceases, that small party 
slinks away in shame. 

" Arrived in New-York harbor all right. ' What's the news, 
pilot ."* ' — ' Oh, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana are gone ! ' 
Sad news for my welcome from a foreign shore. 

" Home again in Wayland. Not to be forgotten is that beau- 
tiful spring evening when the old church was crowded and 
53 



41 8 THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 

crammed with our citizens, met to take counsel of each other 
on the war. We all remember that* 

" Business called me to Washington ; and, while there, I ac- 
cepted from the hand of Secretary Wells a commission as acting- 
lieutenant in the navy (now being deserted by its officers), dated 
May 8, i86i. 

" Ordered to report to Commodore Hudson at the Charles- 
town Navy Yard. I left for Baltimore ; stopped to see my friend 
Holmes, also a Wayland man, attached to Nims's Battery ; and 
then pushed on to Boston, and reported for duty. 

" Had orders to sail immediately for the Gulf Squadron, and 
report to the commander there. Took passage on the United- 
States steamer ' South Carolina,' Alden commander. We took 
in a lot of 1 5-inch mortars, and sailed for the seat of war on the 
23d of May. 

" On the passage we were employed in drilling the men, and 
getting into fighting-order. 

" We arrived safe ; landed our mortars at Fort Pickens, which 
still flew the stars and stripes; while opposite, in the Pensacola 
Navy Yard, flew the stars and bars, the first rebel flag I ever saw. 

" Leaving here, I was ordered to report to Commander C. H. 
Poor, of the United-States steamer ' Brooklyn,' for duty on that 
ship. I found her anchored off the Pass La Outre, mouth of 
the Mississippi. Here we lay, watching for blockade-runners, 
until July. One morning, while we were off shore, the rebel 
pirate 'Sumter 'came steaming down the river; and we gave 
chase. Unfortunately, our ship had been out three years; and 
her speed proved unequal to ' The Sumter's,' which allowed the 
latter to escape. What mischief she afterwards did we all know. 

* At the meeting here referred to, Capt. Wade, in a true sailor-like address, added fervor to 
the enthusiasm of the time by his earnest appeal for the honor of our national flag. He was 
then far from being an abolitionist, as were many others ; but his cruise up the Mississippi be- 
came the means of changing his views somewhat touching the matter of slavery. 



THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 



419 



" Nothing further occurred until we were relieved by ' The 
Richmond,' and ordered to Philadelphia for repairs. Arrived 
there the early part of September, when my first appointment 
was revoked, and a commission received to act as a volunteer 
lieutenant in the navy, — a distinction without a difference. 

" I accepted an appointment to take command of the United- 
States bark ' Houghton,' then fitting out at the New- York Navy 
Yard. But, on finding that her destination was only as a 'shore 
ship,' I volunteered to go as a watch-ofhcer with Capt. Alden of 
the United-States steamship ' Richmond,'* at that time at New 
York for repairs. 

"Sailed from the harbor in January, 1862. Had a pleasant 
voyage to Key West ; but, on entering, we ran aground on a 
dangerous reef. By almost superhuman exertions, we succeeded 
in getting her off: and I am not vain in saying that I contribut- 
ed largely toward it; so said my captain. 

*' At Key West we took in a supply of coal, and started for 
Ship Island, where we found a squadron being formed to attack 
New Orleans. Ship after ship comes in ; and finally Admiral 
Farragut, with old glorious Ben Butler to command the land- 
forces, completed the armament. 

" Orders to send down all spare spars, and make all snug for 
action, being complied with, the whole squadron started for the 
river. At the mouth of the passes, we found all the mortar- 
boats assembled, and ready for the bombardment ; the whole 
naval force amounting to nearly fifty vessels. 

" Before New Orleans could be reached, we must pass the 
strong forts Jackson and St. Philip, nearly opposite each other, 

* " The Richmond " was pierced for twenty-four guns. She carried twenty-four 9-inch 
guns, whose shot weighed ninety-two pounds ; also an eighty-pound rifled-gun on her fore- 
castle, and a twenty-four-pound rifled-gun on the poop-deck, with four twenty-four-pound 
howitzers. Her crew consisted of three hundred and twenty men and officers. 



420 THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 

on the banks of the river, sixty-five miles below the city. They 
were well mounted and manned, and aided also by several rebel 
gunboats, rams, and fire-rafts. A heavy chain-cable across the 
river, below the forts, made the rebel defences seem almost in- 
surmountable. 

" April 1 8, Porter's mortars opened on the forts. It was awful 
work. About two thousand shells were thrown that day. It con- 
tinued several days. We got orders from Farragut to run past 
the forts. At two o'clock, a.m., April 23, the signal was given to 
start. Gallant Caldwell of Waltham had cut the chain-barrier. 
There was no noise. All was stern and still on board the ships. 
Every man was thoughtful. We started ; but my feeble pen can- 
not do justice to the scene that followed. All the mortar-boats 
opened anew on the forts. ' The Richmond ' went up next in 
order to the flagship. 

" A flash ahead ! They see us ! We are engaged ! Their 
shots strike us. The splinters fly. Men shriek, as, wounded, 
they are carried below, their life-blood dripping on the deck 
like rain on a housetop. Poor Wadleigh, a gallant Christian 
officer, falls into my arms dead. ' The Richmond's ' guns are 
all ready. My division (the eight forward guns) open first, and 
are quickly followed by the others. It is terrific. Seems as if 
we were in the infernal regions. Fire-rafts come down to make 
it more infernal by their lurid glare. Still we pass on through 
the storm, and are safe above the forts. One more link of the 
Rebellion is broken. 

" Day breaks ; and who that saw that lovely morning can ever 
forget the scene of destruction and carnage it displayed } Friends 
look around to find who are missing; and hands are grasped in 
thankfulness to God for lives sj^ared. 

"But 'tis not all over. Here come rebel gunboats, — seven- 
teen in all, head on. One is steering for ' The Richmond.' Two 



THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 42 I 

hundred men stand on her unprotected decks. '■First division, 
grape and canister. Let her have it ! ' One minute, and they 
disappear, mowed down like grass before the scythe. We 
hear the Qrroans and curses of her crew as she drifts astern. 
Another comes. The same scene over again. So all took their 
fate, and were sunk, or disabled. Our gallant admiral greets us, 
and we salute him. Three thousand gallant tars shout their 
repeated hurrahs, that echo along the shores. 

" Hold ! What the dense is this black object vomiting smoke, 
and looking like a huge mud-turtle coming down the river } 
'Tis the iron-clad ram ' Manassas.' On she comes, aiming for 
'The Richmond.' She strikes us on the bow, firing her bow-gun 
at the same time. She glances off, and rushes down the river. 
A broadside from ' The Mississippi ' strikes her. She vomits 
flame, and runs ashore a burning wreck. 

" All our fleet anchor abreast of the quarantine-ground. We 
count the missing vessels, and find that all have passed the 
ordeal but four or five gunboats. All have their story to tell. I 
could fill pages with gallant deeds on board the fleet. 

" At eight, A.M., pipe to breakfast. We see the old flag gleam- 
ing in the sun. Women on shore are wringing their hands in 
despair. Can't stop for them. Must leave them to the army. 

" ' Cut the wires to New Orleans ! Up anchors, and on for 
the city!' The shore is lined with jubilant negroes, and their 
masters frantic with rage and grief. At eight, p.m., we anchor 
twenty miles from the city. At two, p.m., the next day, ' Prepare 
for action ! ' ' The Chalmette ' has a battery that opens on us as 
we pass up. We sweep them from their guns, and they are 
silenced. 

" Now comes the city. We round the point, and New Or- 
leans is before us. But such a scene ! — ships and shipyards, 
cotton, coal, and buildings, all ablaze for miles along the river ; 



422 THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 

and a terrific thunder-storm is also raging. It can be expressed 
only in the words, fearfully, terribly, awfilly sublime ! 

" New Orleans was ours ! The next day, old glorious ' Ben ' 
came up with his troops. We buried our dead, gave thanks to 
God for victory, and passed up the river, destroying rafts and 
forts, occasionally seeing the ' old flag,' but mostly a scene of 
consternation. 

" Baton Rouge is reached. We take possession, and press 
on for Natchez. It surrenders. We hoist the stars and stripes, 
and move on for Vicksburg. Here they are ready for us. 
Never mind : we will try the passage. On the night of July 
22, we pass the forts. It was a second Jackson and St. Philip; 
but we are fighting-men now, and nothing stops our 'sala- 
mander.' * 

" We meet the Memphis fleet, and fraternize. A few days 
after, down comes the rebel iron-clad ' Arkansas.' She runs the 
gantlet of our fleet, and gets safe to Vicksburg. Down we go 
after her. And now ' The Richmond' is ordered to New Orleans, 
and thence to Mobile, where we lay, to blockade for a time ; and 
thence move to Pensacola, where I was detached to command 
the United-States steamship ' Arthur,' and ordered to the coast 
of Texas. Blockaded the Arkansas Pass for some months, and 
then returned to Pensacola, where I remained as guard-ship 
until the close of the winter of 1864. 

" Was then ordered to report at New York ; and from thence, 
in March, I visited my home. 

" Leaving Wayland, after a few weeks, under orders to report 
for special duty to Admiral Lee, I found him, on the ist of 
May, at New York. 

" ' Good-morning, admiral ! I have the honor to report.' 

* A name applied by the seamen to Admiral Farragut. 



THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 423 

" ' Well, sir, I suppose you know the important duties you are 
to undertake. You are to clean the river of torpedoes, so that 
Gen. Butler s fleet can pass up and land his troops.' 

"'Yes, sir. But admiral, suppose I blow my ship up? I take 
the order to be imperative.' 

" ' Nothing to say, sir. On your vigilance depends the safety 
of the fleet.' 

"'Yes, sir: I understand^ 

" I proceeded to find 'The Commodore Jones,' which I was to 
command. She proved to be a vessel of about eight hundred 
tons. She had formerly been a Jersey-City ferry-boat, and was 
now a gunboat, carrying eight guns of 9-inch caliber, and one 
pivot-gun, with a crew of a hundred and twenty-five men. 

" Steamed up the James, ahead of the fleet, without accident, 
and came to anchor at City Point. The troops were landed ; and 
I was ordered the next day, May 6, to reconnoitre farther up the 
river. 

" When near Bermuda Hundred, word was sent me by a 
negro, that at a certain spot there was a large torpedo, with 
thirty-two hundred pounds of powder; and the information 
proved reliable, except the exact spot. Arriving there, no signs 
of danger were found. 

"It became necessary to cross the river from side to side to 
retain position ; and, in so doing, I had reached a point above 
that designated for the torpedo, when suddenly the ship blew up 
with a low, dull sound. In a few moments, nothing remained 
afloat of ' The Commodore Jones ' except a few scattered frag- 
ments. 

" I was picked up some forty feet from the fatal spot, and 
taken on board a vessel, where I received such attention as the 
case required. 

" The number of lives lost can never be accurately ascer- 



424 THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 

tained, as we took on board a draft of men from the army the 
day before, and the paymaster was lost, with all the ship's pa- 
pers. The best estimates give eighty-five men, with three officers. 

" My personal injuries resulted in a lameness of the ankle, 
that compelled the use of crutches for months. 

" I was brought home, and, after a year, asked for service, and 
was ordered to the United-States steamship ' North Carolina ' 
as executive officer; in which capacity I served until November, 
1865, when I was detached for service on board the United-States 
receiving-ship ' Ohio,' at the Charlestown Navy Yard, where I 
still remain (January, 1870)." 

Capt. Wade was born in Boston in 1820. In person he was 
five feet five inches and a half tall, stout in figure, having a light 
complexion, dark-brown hair, and blue eyes. 

He was married to Susan R. Hunt of Sudbury in December, 
1853, by whom he had two children. 

After the death of his first wife, he was united by marriage 
to Lucy E. Bemis of Wayland, on the 12th of January, i: 



Henry Otis Walker. 




ENRY OTIS WALKER, son of James D. and 
Nancy D. Walker, was born at Wayland, Mass., 
Aug. 2, 1839. 

The spirit of patriotism early moved him to lend 
his influence and aid in subduing what he con- 
sidered the blackest treason ; and, although his 
constitutional vigor was not the strongest, he sought 
a place in the army by enlisting, Dec. 2, 1861, in 
the Thirty-second Regiment of Infantry, in Company B, Capt. 
Prescott. 

His complexion was dark, with dark hair and eyes. He was 
five feet nine inches and three-fourths high, and by occupation 
a farmer. 

During the following winter, the regiment was stationed at 
Fort Warren, in Boston harbor, where drilling, and guarding 
rebel prisoners, were its chief duties. Among the prisoners were 
the notorious Mason and Slidell. He was detailed as company 
cook during the first two months. 

In the month of March following, he was much exposed to 
the bleak, chilling winds, inducing incipient lung-disease ; and 
he was for a time confined in hospital-quarters. At this time 
the regiment was gladdened by the receipt of an order to pro- 
ceed to the seat of war. None received the news more joyfully 



54 



426 HENRY OTIS WALKER. 

than he; and great was his disappointment, when, in the midst 
of his preparations for the trip, he was ordered to report to the 
hospital-surgeon, where he was informed of his unfitness for 
active service. With a sad heart he saw his comrades depart 
for duties and dangers in which he longed to participate. 

His health still continuing imperfect, he received his regular 
discharge for disability on the 5th of June, 1 862. But his earnest 
desire to serve his country was not quelled ; and he again joined 
the army by enlisting in the Veteran Reserve Corps, Sept. 3, 
1864, with the expectation of being sent immediately to the 
South. But, instead of this, he was ordered to Galloupe's Island, 
in the same harbor, whose damp and bleak winds had, two years 
before, produced their disabling effect on his health. And here 
again his old lung-affection returned, resulting in his renewed 
discharge, Oct. 13, 1864. 

He never regained his health sufficiently to engage in other 
than light labor. His earthly life closed at his fathers residence, 
Jan. 18, 1866. 



Alpheus Bigelow Wellington. 




marked 
that he 



HOEVER has become acquainted with the move- 
ments of the Thirty-second Infantry Regiment, 
from the time of its leaving the State (only twelve 
hours after the order was received) to the close 
of the war, needs no reminder of its character 
for promptness, bravery, and efficiency; and to 
any member of that body of men, who has re- 
ceived from comrade and officer testimonials of 

fidelity, there cannot attach even the shadow of a doubt 

is worthy to be called 

"A faithful soldier, 
To his country true." 



And let it be added here, whoever reads the army-life of the 
soldier whose name is recorded above, as witnessed, not by a 
retrospective vision, but by his own clear statements, written 
while on the tented field, the bivouac, the march, and the battle- 
field, in simple language not designed to meet the public eye, 
must clearly see that he was enabled to 

" Forget all feelings save a patriot's yearning ; 
Resign all passions save for human freedom ; 
No object see but his imperilled country ; 
And only look on death as beautiful, 
So that the sacrifice ascend to heaven, 
And draw down freedom on her evermore." 



428 ALP HE us BIG FLOW WELLINGTON. 

Under a full conviction that the narrative of Mr. Wellinorton 

o 

will be better told, that his character as a patriot soldier and a 
Christian man will be better illustrated, and a more beautiful 
memorial of his noble self-sacrifice be presented, by copious ex- 
tracts from his army-letters to his friends and relatives, than by 
any other method, they are gratefully received from the hands 
of those to whom he was personally dear, and presented to the 
appreciative reader. 

He was a son of Joseph and Keziah (Haynes) Wellington ; 
born at Weston, Sept. 7, 1841. He was stout and athletic ; five 
feet ten inches in stature, with dark hair and complexion, and 
hazel eyes ; and by occupation a farmer. 

He enlisted in Company B, Capt. Prescott, in the Thirty- 
second Regiment of Infantry, on the 28th of November, 1861. 

The regiment remained at Fort Warren, in Boston harbor, 
until May 27, 1862. During this period, Mr. Wellington vis- 
ited his friends twice at their home in Wayland. 

On arriving at Washington, he writes, under date of May 29, 
1862,— 

" I was never so glad in my life to get out of a place as when 
I left Fort Warren. I enlisted to help put down the Rebellion ; 
and I hope to have an opportunity soon to do something 
towards it. 

" We came through Baltimore ; but the people did not salute 
us. I guess they were not very glad to see us. 

''■ Alexandria, ]\in& 27. — I like things here better than at 
the fort. I hope we shall now have a chance to strike one blow 
for our country. Tell mother not to worry about me. If I am 
killed, I shall die in a good cause. I am not afraid to die. I 
am willing to take my chance. 

'■'■ Harrison s Landing, Va., July 4, 1862. — We are now with 
McClellan's army. We had marching-orders on Monday ; and, 



ALPHEUS BIGELOW WELLINGTON. 



429 



on our arrival here, came near having a fight. McClcllan said 
to Capt. Prescott, ' You will have a hard time for your first 
battle.' But the enemy are falling back; and we are following 
them. 

" I would not leave the army on any account. I am sorry 

that and are afraid to let their boys come. 

Now is the time when the country needs their help. I think 
every able-bodied man ought to come forward. 

" It is rumored that has deserted. I would rather 

be shot than do this. I will try to do my duty as long as I can 
stand. I hope mother won't worry about me. Tell father I 
should like to help him about the haying ; but my duty is to 
fight for my country. I'm not afraid of bullets, and I want to 
see Richmond before I come home." 

But his fii^htino^ under Gen. McClellan was over. The reofi- 
ment left Harrison's Landing Aug. 15, and, by forced marches, 
reached Newport News on the 19th, embarking here for Ac- 
quia Creek, and thence moving to join Gen. Pope's army in the 
defence of Washington. 

After the second Bull-run fight, on the second day of which 
the Thirty-second was present, but not engaged, it proceeded 
vid Washington to the north of Maryland, and was present in 
Porter's corps during the Antietam fight. 

'' Minor s Hill, Sept. 5. — We have been for three days sup- 
porting batteries. We have not yet lost a man ; though the red 
pants * were all cut to pieces, and we took their place. To-day 
we are resting. The rebels shelled us yesterday, and drove in 
our pickets. 

" I think that men are not fit to live in a country like this who 
will not fight for it when it is in danger. I don't believe in hir- 

* Zouaves ; noted for their general bravery. 



430 ALP HE us BIG E LOW WELLINGTON. 

ing men to do their duty, and am glad the government did not 
buy me. I would not take my discharge if it were freely offered 
me ; for my country needs me, and I wish to bear my part. 

'' S/iai^psbicrg, Md., Oct. 2. — What do you think of Foote's 
plan for making peace .? I believe that peace will come when 
we have whipped the enemy ; and not before. 

" I have not been well for several weeks. The doctor advises 
me to go to a hospital for treatment ; but I prefer staying with 
the regiment. There is a prospect of our advancing, and I 
dread being left behind. I have but little strength, and no 
appetite ; but, if we get a chance at the enemy, I want to be 
there." 

The regiment was put in motion on the 30th of October, and 
passed through Northern Virginia, in a southerly direction, to 
the Rappahannock River, opposite Fredericksburg. 

After the fearfully-destructive engagement which called forth 
the utmost bravery of those troops that were ordered to advance 
on the rebel works crowning the heights beyond the city, he 
writes as follows : — 

" Near Falmouth, Va., Dec. 1 7. — Not dead yet ; though we 
have had a great battle, and got whipped. I think it the hard- 
est fight we have had yet. We took Fredericksburg, but could 
not take the fortifications. We lay two days in the streets of 
the city. The glorious Thirty-second fulfilled its duty in the 
face of death to the satisfaction of its superior officers. We 
came back to our old camp on Monday night, having lost about 
forty men. 

''March 29, 1863. — I should be ashamed to stay at home in 
times like these. Somebody must die for their country : it may 
as well be me as another. 

" I think ' Joe ' will go into Richmond.* It will cost many 

* Gen. Joseph Hooker (familiarly called "Joe," or "Fighting Joe" ) was now in command 
of the Army of the Potomac. 



ALP HE us BIGELOW WELLINGTON. 431 

lives ; but the sooner we start, the better. I am ready for the 
risk. 

" Gen. Hooker has provided oxen to help draw the batteries 
through the mud, and pack-mules to carry ammunition on the 
field of battle. This relieves us of quite a burden. Eighty 
rounds of cartridge, with canteens, knapsacks, guns, &c., make 
quite a load to carry. . . . We shall fight soon, and I shall be 
in it. 

" Have they drafted yet ? I hope they will take every man 
from eighteen to forty-five. It is every man's duty to come. 
Any one that is not willing to fight for his country has no right 
to live in it. 

" I captured that rebel flag over in Shepherdstown, Va. ; ford- 
ing the Potomac to get it* 

"■ April 22. — One year ago to-day, I was at home on a fur- 
lough. I wonder if one year from to-day I shall be with you 
again. We have got some hard fighting to do before affairs can 
be settled ; but I hope the war will be over before that time. I 
don't want to leave the service for a day until it is over. 

'^ April 2%. — I have a moment, and will write to let you 
know that I am well. We are going to Kelly's Ford, and shall 
probably be engaged with the enemy to-morrow. You will see it 
in the papers. If I am one of the lucky ones, I will write often. 

" Chancellorsville, Va., May 4. — We have been skirmishing 
with the rebels. It was a hard fight yesterday ; but our corps 
intrenched themselves, and suffered less than some others. The 
' Johnnies ' charged upon us ; but we mowed them down in 
piles. ... I went out to the front after the fight, and was fired 
at by a sharpshooter. It was a narrow escape; but, as he 
missed his mark, there was no harm done. 



* He had sent home in a letter a small piece of a rebel flag which he had secured ; but he 
gave no detailed account of its capture. 



432 ALPHEUS BIG FLOW WELLINGTON. 

" I hope they will renew the attack ; for we are now between 
them and Richmond. They have fought with desperation, — 
never so hard before. I think we shall capture most of them. 
I may fall ; but let us hope for the best. I will do my duty, 
come what may. 

" May 8. — I did not have time to close my letter before being 
ordered into line. We advanced into the woods, and drove the 
rebel line, though at a severe loss to our brigade. 

" To go back a little, let me say, that, before the battle, we 
crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, and pushed on to 
the Rapidan, which we forded about dark, and then drove the 
enemy nearly to Fredericksburg. Marched nearly to United- 
States Ford. The whole army crossed on Saturday. We were 
in line of battle on the right, and had to take the place of the 
Eleventh Corps, which broke in confusion. If they had stood 
their ground, we could have taken the whole army. As it was, 
we came near losing our whole army. 

" We staid at the front from Sunday till Wednesday night, 
and got no sleep for twelve nights. 

" During the artillery-fight, I was standing on the top of our 
breastworks, enjoying the sight of our batteries mowing them 
down, when a sharpshooter in a tree fired at me. The ball passed 
very close to me. I suppose I am venturesome ; but I could not 
keep quiet when the 'Johnnies' were coming out of the woods. 
I was no more frightened than if I were at home." 

After this battle, the regiment moved by a series of marches 
to the northward into Maryland, and thence into Pennsylvania. 

'' Aldie, F<3;., June 25. — Sunday we passed through Middle- 
bury to picket for the cavalry. We kept at their left to prevent 
flanking. Our brigade skirmished heavily, and killed quite a 
large number. The next day, our cavalry became engaged, and 
we were put upon the double-quick for three miles to support 



ALPHEUS BIGELOW WELLINGTON. 433 

them. They shelled us for some time; but we proved too much 
for them, and they left." 

As the rumor came that the foe was actually pressing Northern 
soil, defiantly expecting a victorious course, even to the invasion 
of the capital, it sent a thrill of determination through all hearts 
at the North to defeat the invaders. Soldiers in the field were 
enthusiastic ; and the different corps vied with each . other in 
alertness of movement. To what an intense strain the ardent 
temperament of Mr. Wellington was subjected, no one can tell. 
He who so longed to strike a heavy blow at the armed force of 
the Rebellion was once more to prove his professions by action. 

^^ Near Gettysburg, Pcmi., July 3. — You have probably read 
of the terrible battles that have been raging here for the last 
three days, and, knowing that the Fifth Corps was engaged, 
must have been anxious to hear of my fate. I am 'all right' 
after one of the hardest battles of the war. Our regiment lost 
fearfully. The rebels flanked us, and, opening all their batteries 
on us, mowed us down like grass. The air was full of shot and 
shell. Our company came out with but six men. My tent- 
mates were all wounded. I have been out this evening helping 
to carry them and others from the field. 

" July 4. — Perhaps you would like to know how I have spent 
the nation's birthday. It has rained most of the afternoon ; but 
we have been engaged in burying our dead. Last night, wliile 
we were taking them from the field, the rebels fired on us. Our 
pickets drove them about five hundred yards: so we now hold 
the field. I went over it this morning; and I assure you it looks 
hard. I hope never to see such a sight again. The ground 
was covered with the mingled dead of the two armies. I am 
spared thus far; but my time may come next. Some must fall. 
I shall try to do my duty, whatever be the risk. I have but little 
fear of shells now that I have got used to them. I am all ready to 



434 



A LP HE us BIG E LOW WELLINGTON. 



advance, and hope that we may capture Lee's army before he 
reaches the Potomac. If we succeed in this, I think that the 
war is virtually ended. 

" I suppose you have seen fireworks in Boston this evening. 
•I have seen all I wish to for the past two days. I never saw any 
to equal them. 

'' Falling- Waters, ]u\y II. — We are in line of battle, hoping 
to bring on an engagement. We have made forced marches, 
barefooted, many of us with short rations, through mud and 
water. I have been wet through a great many times since this 
campaign began; and, when you think of how much marching 
we have done since April 25, you will not wonder that we are 
about used up." 

His anticipations of a battle, and of the capture of Lee's army, 
failed of a realization ; and it may reasonably be asserted that 
one of his ardor must have suffered sadly under the disappoint- 
ment : yet his letters breathe no spirit of fault-finding at any 
seeming delinquency of the men in command. 

'■'■ Berli7t, Md.,]\Ay 17. — We are waiting to cross the river. 
The roads are very muddy, on account of the heavy rains. I 
hope we shall be allowed to rest before another engagement. 
The battery-horses are so worn out, that they cannot draw the 
artillery. It seems hard ; but I am not disposed to complain. 
All I want is to accomplish the end, — not march so much for 
nothing. 

" Twenty miles froin Warrenton, July 20. — I see by the pa- 
pers that there has been difficulty in enforcing the draft in New 
York. I am surprised at it. No man of any principle would 

oppose it. Tell , if he is drafted, to come like a man, and 

help save his country. I would not wait to be drafted. 

''Near Middlebicry, Va., July 23. — Four weeks ago to-day, 
we passed through this place northward. Since then, we have 



ALPHEUS BIGELOW WELLINGTON. 435 

been through Maryland into Pennsylvania, and back again, 
tlirough Maryland, into Virginia, with our numbers greatly les- 
sened by hard fighting. My chum, who was wounded at Gettys- 
burg, has had his leg amputated. I miss him very much. He 
was dear to me as a brother ; but I must try to be reconciled to 
his loss. When I meet the enemy again, I shall try to setUe 
with them for disabling him. 

" I am no more excited when I go into battle than when I 
am shooting game at home. I never think of getting hit. I 
know that this fearlessness will not save me from the bullets. If 
my country needs my life, it could not be given in a better cause. 
I came here to help put down the Rebellion ; and, were my time 
now expired, I would immediately re-enlist." 

The month of August, and until the middle of September, was 
spent chiefly in camp at Beverly Ford, Va. ; after which the 
reo'iment shared in the marches and counter-marches in close 

O 

proximity with the rebel army, having an occasional skirmish, 
and frequently exposed to shelling, until the Mine-run affair. 

" Centreville, Va., Oct. 1 3. — Have been on the march for 
seven da3^s and nights. We fall back, and the rebels follow us ; 
then we advance, and drive them : and so it goes. We have 
crossed the Rappahannock seven times this week. Cannon are 
booming around us ; but the rebels will have a gay time trying 
to take Washington. 

" We crossed Bull Run about two o'clock this morning. Our 
company were flankers all day, and we had a hard time. 

'' Near Auburji, Oct. 25. — I am sorry that mother worries so 
much about me. Tell her that I will not re -enlist until my three 
years are up. 

" I hear the roar of artillery. The rebels are trying to turn 
our flank again. We camped on the Bull -run battle-field. 
Saw many skeletons of men that were not buried. It seems 



436 ALP HE us BIGELOW WELLINGTON. 

hard that a fellow can't have a little earth thrown over his body 
when he falls. But such is war. 

" Bealton^ Nov. 1 1. — I did not have time to finish my letter 
before we were ordered to move. Marched to within a mile of 
the Rappahannock; engaged the enemy, and drove them across 
the river, taking several prisoners. You thought I sent for an 
armor, did you ? You misunderstood me. I want a military 
vest to keep me warm, without any steel in it. I am not afraid 
of the bullets. 

''Liberty, Dec. 4. — We have suffered considerably from the cold. 

"■Nov. 30. — We were in line of battle for twenty hours, and 
could have no fires. Twenty thousand men were massed; and I 
can't understand why we did not attack the enemy there at Mine 
Run. 

" Thanksgiving was very cold. We marched most of the 
night, and on the next day had a skirmish. Sunday we went 
to the front in line of battle. At four, p.m., ordered to stack knap- 
sacks, and prepare to charge on the enemy's works. Soon 
another order came, — to make ourselves comfortable for the 
night. At one, a.m., we were ordered up, and marched about a 
mile ; were massed, with orders to charge before daylight. Our 
batteries opened, and theirs returned the fire. We remained 
until nine, p.m., and then moved with the train. Marched all 
night. Slept two hours at six the next morning; then came to 
this place, where we are now on picket-duty. 

"Some of the boys are coming to the army because they get 
large bounties. It seems to me that my weight in gold would 
not hire me. I would come voluiitarily, if at all." 

The winter of 1863-64 was passed at the little village of 
Liberty, near Bealton ; no other regiment being within two miles 
of its encampment. It was a long period of monotonous duty, 
from Dec. 3 to April 30 of the following year, when its quietude 



ALPHEUS BIGELOVV WELLINGTON. 437 

was broken by active preparations to meet the foe in the field 
or at his capital. 

The enthusiasm of our soldier can be imagined when the 
word, " On to Richmond!" became the inspiring war-cry, and 
the movement actually began ; though everyone felt that the 
glorious results anticipated could not be achieved except by 
most determined and bloody encounters with the enemy. 

''hi the field. May 8, 1864. — We have had desperate fighting 
for the last three days. I am all right, so far. We are on the 
road to Richmond this time sure. Do not be anxious for my 
safety. My trust is in God alone. If I fall, I could not give 
my life in a better cause. The same God watches over me here 
as at home. 

''In the field. May 11. — I still live, after six days' continuous 
fighting. We are driving the enemy. I volunteered this morn- 
ing, and went out on the skirmish-line. The rebels tried to 
plant a battery; but we advanced within forty yards, and pre- 
vented them. 

" P. S. — I will write as often as I can. We shall go forward 
again in the morning." 

These were his last written words to his friends.* Their next 
intelligence concerning him was from one of his comrades, as 
follows : — 

" I have a mournful duty to perform; but God has made it 
necessary. Your brother Alpheus, my own dear friend, was 
killed yesterday in battle. Our company was on the picket- 
line, in the advance. We were ordered out about two, a.m. As 
we moved to the front, he said to me, ' If you come out of this, 
and I do not, write to my friends : they will be anxious about 
me.' Some time during the forenoon, he was wounded in the 
leg. We were driven back to our works. 

* The fatal wound was received the following day. 



438 ALPHEUS BIGELOW WELLINGTON. 

" After we had fallen back, we noticed that he was suffering 
from the effects of his wound, and urged him to go to the rear; 
but he refused, saying, ' I will fight as long as I can stand.' 

" The fighting was desperate ; and he bore his part nobly. 
About noon, I again asked him why he did not give up and go 
to the rear. He replied, '/ am all right. I can do something 
more' These were his last words. 

" He had loaded his gun, and was just getting up to fire, when 
a piece of shell came through the top of the works, and struck 
him in the left breast, near the heart. He neither spoke nor 
moved after he fell. 

" After it was dark, we buried him by the side of a comrade. 
We could not mark the spot ; for we had not even a piece of 
qoard with us. There is a cherry-tree near his grave ; and it is 
just in the line of the breastworks where he fell. 

" I cannot attempt to offer consolation at such a time ; for 
words are powerless. I can only say that he fell as a soldier 
should, with his face to the foe. His comrades will long cherish 
his memory ; for he was a kind-hearted, generous fellow, greatly 
beloved by all the boys ; and we miss him very much. He was 
a brave soldier." 

Col. Prescott, in a letter sent soon after to the friends of Mr. 
Wellington, confirms the statements of his comrades, and 
adds, — 

" He was buried where he fell, near a place called ' Laurel Hill.' 
We mourn his loss ; for by his frank, generous disposition, and 
unshrinking bravery, he gained the esteem and confidence of 
all with whom he was connected. I assure you that the Thirty- 
second Regiment never had a better man nor a braver soldier. 
I offer you my heartfelt sympathy." 

When this missive was received from the colonel, he, too, had 
fallen. 



ALPHEUS BIGELOIV WELLINGTON. 439 

Another comrade writes, " He was to me more tlian a friend. 
No brother could have done more for me. When I lay wounded 
on the battle-field of Gettysburg, he was the first to come to me, 
and help carry me away from that dreadful place; and, after he had 
done what he could for my comfort, he left me to do the same 
for others. I never saw his face again, nor shall I till I meet 
him in the spirit-world. I have heard of his death, and that he 
bravely fought to the last. You may be sure that his comrades 
will say of him, that he never shrank from duty." 

At a meeting of the Wayland Soldiers' Relief Society, held 
on the evening of Aug. 22, 1864, the following preamble and 
resolutions were unanimously adopted : — 

" Whereas, In the inevitable results of -war, we are painfully called upon to notice the death of 
another of our brave and patriotic representatives in the army, — Mr. Alpheus B. Wellington : 
therefore 

" Resolved, That tve duly appreciate the noble spirit that prompted him to give his services as 
a soldier in defence of his country V imperilled interests ; that we applaud the untiring and invinci- 
ble determination to stand firm to his duties to the last ; and, while we deplore his death, we will 
ei'er hold as precious the memory of his devoted life. 

" Resolved, That we tender to his relatives our hearty sympathy in their bereavement, and 
order a copy of these resolves to be transmitted to them by the secretary.''^ 

It is deemed proper to complete the record of this soldier by 
appending the fact that three of his brothers also served in the 
army during the war, though two of them enlisted from and were 
accredited to other places. 

The eldest son of this family, Joseph Henry Wellington, was 
residing at Memphis, Tenn., at the opening of the war. He 
was a true Union man. At first, he was forcibly impressed into 
the rebel service; but, at the capture of that city by the Union 
forces, he gladly embraced the opportunity to join the Northern 
army. He served, till the close of the war, in the Sixty-sixth 
Regiment of Indiana Infantry, and was in two severe battles. 
He was promoted to the post of commissary-sergeant. 



440 A LP HE us BIGELOW WELLINGTON. 

After his release from compulsory rebel service, in a letter to 
his friends he wrote, " We have the best government in the 
world; and I hope never to see the day that the Union is dis- 
solved." 

Alden D. Wellington, the third son, volunteered in the Union 
service for a hundred days, July 12, 1864 ; and served in Compa- 
ny A, Capt. Coombs, of the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry, until 
his discharge, Oct. 27, 1864. He was promoted to the position 
of corporal, and was accredited to the town of Waltham. 



Walter J. Wellington. 




^ALTER J. was the fourth son of Joseph and 
Keziah Wellington. He was born at Wayland, 
Nov. 28, 1847. 

The spirit of patriotism that pervaded the 
family swelled also in his breast, and prompted 
him to lend his aid in the struggle for union and 
freedom ; and, when his brother Alden decided 
to join the army, he also enlisted for the same 
period and in the same company. 

But his unmatured physical constitution was found to be inad- 
equate to the demands of a soldier's rough and exposed life. 
He soon yielded to sickness, and was unable to render much 
service. 

He was five feet seven inches tall ; of light complexion, light 
hair, and hazel eyes ; and by occupation a farmer. Date of 
enlistment, July 12, 1864; and of discharge, Oct. 27 following. 



HI 



James Dexter Loker. 




R. LOKER, though not on the quota of Wayland 
soldiers, is deserving of a place in these me- 
mentos ; for this was more truly his home than 
^ any other locality; Wayland being his native 
place, the home of his parents and ancestry. 
^ He was born Sept. 14, 1827; being the son of 
Otis and Betsey (Allen) Loker. 

He was married to Emily Clapp of Wayland, 
by whom he had two children. 

In August, 1862, he enlisted in Capt. Graham's company. 
Thirty-ninth Regiment of Infantry, and was soon after promoted 
to a sergeant's office. He left with his regiment for the seat of 
war on the 6th of September following. 

His energy and reliability soon secured for him the responsi- 
ble appointment of brigade express-messenger. In the perform- 
ance of the duties of this position, under severe exposure and 
long-continued effort, he took a violent cold, resulting in con- 
gestion of the lungs, and terminating in his death at Poolsville, 
Md., Dec. 30, 1862. 

His body was forwarded to his friends in Wayland, where 
most impressive funeral-exercises were held on Sunday, Jan. 4. 
His remains repose in the South Burial-Ground. 



JAMES DEXTER LOKER. 443 

His soldierly and humane qualities arc well indicated by the 
following extracts from letters written soon after his death. 

Capt. Graham writes, " He was an honorable, high-souled man ; 
one whom I regret, of all others, to see laid low by the fell de- 
stroyer. He was beloved and respected by every man in the 
company; and they will long cherish his memory. His death is 
a loss to the regiment that cannot be replaced." Another c^- 
cer writes, " His sudden death has cast a deep gloom over the com- 
pany ; for we feel that we have lost our best man." His colonel 
also writes, " His death is a loss to the regiment that cannot be 
replaced." 

On the occasion of his death, his company (B) passed the fol- 
lowing resolutions : — 

"Whereas, It hath pleased a divine Providence to remove fro7Ji our midst Sergeant J. D. 
LOKER : be it therefore 

" Resolved, 7'hat, in losing him, we are deprived of a well-loved member, a true soldier, and an 
honest, honorable man ; that his life, since he enrolled his name among our country 'j defenders, and 
came forth to battle for the stars and stripes, has been that of a patriot noble and true ; that, by his 
decease, 7ve are deprived of a dear and valuable friettd. 

" That we tender to his widow and family our heartfelt sympathy, and trust that they may find 
consolation in the fact that he lived the life and died the death of a Christian and patriot, — a noble 
life, an honorable ilcath." 



Joshua Mellen. 




R. MELLEN, though not accredited to Wayland 
as a soldier, was a native of that town ; the son 
of Hon. Edward and Sophia (Whitney) Mellen. 

While in his senior year as a student at 
Brown University, he joined the Tenth Rhode- 
Island Volunteers (Company D), and served as 
a private soldier in the vicinity of Washington, 
D.C., from May 26, 1862, to Sept. i following. 



444 



CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD 



PRIx\CIPAL BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS IN WHICH THE 
WAYLAND SOLDIERS PARTICIPATED. 



i86i. 

Battle of Bull Run, Va., July i8, 21. 
Battle of Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21. 

1862. 

Battle of Roanoke Island, N.C., Feb. 7, 8. 
Engagement at Newbern, N.C., March 14. 
Fight at Winchester, Va., March 23. 
Bombardment of Island No. 10, Mississippi 

River, 23 days (it surrendered April 7). 
Bombardment of Fort Wright (or Pillow), 

Tenn., April 14. 
Engagement at Yorktown, Va., April 16. 
Bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 

below New Orleans, La., April 18 (continued 

si.x days). 
Passage of the forts by the Union fleet, 

April 24. 
Siege of Yorktown, Va. (evacuated May 4). 
Battle at Williamsburg, Va., May 9. 
Gunboat -fight off Fort Wright (or Pillow), 

ISIay 10. 
Battle of Fair Oaks, Va., May 31 and June i. 



Battle at Tranter's Creek, N.C., June 5. 
Gunboat - engagement off Memphis, Tenn., 

June 6. 
Naval and military engagement at St. Charles, 

Ark., June 17. 
Battle at Savage Station, Va., June 29. 
Battle at Glendale, Va., June 30. 
Battle at Malvern Hill, Va., July i. 
Naval action off Vicksburg, Miss., July 22. 
Second Battle at Malvern Hill, Va., Aug. 5. 
Battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9. 
Fight at Kettle Run (Bristow Station), Va., 

Aug. 27. 
Second Battle at Bull Run, Va., Aug. 28, 30. 
Battle of South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14. 
Battle of Antietam, Md., Sept. 17. 
Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13. 
Battle at Kinston, N.C., Dec. 14. 
Battle at Whitehall, N.C., Dec. 16. 
Battle at Goldsborough, N.C., Dec 17. 

1863. 

Engagement at Arkansas Post, Ark., Jan. 10. 

Bombardment of Port Hudson, La., March 14. 

443 



446 



CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 



Battle at Bisland, La., April 12, 13. 
Siege of Washington, N.C. (raised April 15). 
Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 3, 4. 
Assault on Port Hudson, La., May 27. 
Battle at Beverly Ford (Brandy Station), Va., 

June 9. 
Second assault on Port Hudson, La., June 14. 
Cavalry-fights near Aldie, Va., June 17, 21. 
Battle of Gettysburg, Penn., July i, 2, 3. 
Siege of Vicksburg, Miss, (surrendered July 4). 
Siege of Port Hudson, La. (surrendered July 8). 
Fight at Hanover Court House, Va., July 6. 
Fighting before Jackson, Miss, (evacuated July 

16). 
Engagement on James's Island, S.C., July 16. 
Assault on Fort Wagner (Morris Island), S.C., 

July 18. 
Engagement at Front Royal, Va., July 23. 
Fight on Morris Island, S.C., Aug. 26. 
Assault on Fort Sumter, S.C., Sept. 8. 
Engagement at Warrington, Va., Oct. 31. 
Engagement at Lenoir Station, Tenn., Nov. 16. 
Siege of Knoxville, Tenn. (from Nov. 17 to 

Dec. 5). 
Action at Kelly's Ford, Va., Dec. 14. 

1864. 

Battle at Cane River, La., April 23. 
Battles of the Wilderness, Va., May 5, 6, 7. 
Battle of Laurel Hill, Va., May 8. 
Engagements at Spottsylvania, Va., May 10 

to 18. 
Cavalry-fight near Richmond, Va., May 10. 
Action at Drury's Bluff (Fort Darling), Va., 

May 13, 16. 
Battle at North Anna River, Va., May 23. 
Engagements near Bethesda Church, Va., May 

30 to June 5. 



Battles at Cold Harbor, Va., June i to 7. 
Engagement at White-oak Swamp, Va., June 

12. 
Attack on Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, 

June 16. 
Assault on rebel works before Petersburg, 

June 18. 
Engagement at Rockville, Md., July 10. 
Cavalry-fight at Winchester, Va., July 20. 
Batde at Four-mile Creek, Va., July 28. 
Battle of the Mine (before Petersburg), July 

30- 

Engagements at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 14, 
16. 

Battles of the Weldon Railroad (before Peters- 
burg), Aug. 18, 19, 21. 

Cavalry-fight at Berryville, Va., Sept. 3. 

Battle of Opequan, Va., Sept. 19. 

Engagement at Snake Mountain, Va., Sept. 22. 

Battle of Fisher's Hill, Va., Sept. 22. 

Battle at Luray Court House, Va., Sept. 24. 

Action near Darbytown, Va., Sept. 28. 

Battle at Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 30. 

Battle of Poplar-spring Church (before Peters- 
burg), Sept. 30. 

Engagement at Peebles's Farm (before Peters- 
burg), Sept. 30. 

Cavalry-engagement at Thorn's Brook, Va., 
Oct. 9. 

Battle of Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19. 

General assault on rebel works before Peters- 
burg, Oct. 27. 

1865. 

Engagement at Dabney's Mills (before Pe- 
tersburg), Va., Feb. 5. 

Battles at Hatcher's Run (before Petersburg), 
Va., Feb. 6, 7. 



CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 



447 



Action at Waynesborough, Va., March 2. 

Cavalry-engagement at South Anna River, 
Va., March 14. 

Attack on Fort Stedman, and general advance 
on rebel works before Petersburg, Va., 
March 25. 

Engagement at Dinvviddie Court House (be- 
fore Petersburg), Va., March 29. 

Battle at Gravelly Run, Va., March 29. 



Actions at Uoynton Plank-Road, Va., March 
29.31- 

Battle of Five Forks (before Petersburg), Va., 
April I. 

Last general assault on the rebel works be- 
fore Petersburg, Va., April 2. 

Engagement at Sailor's Creek, Va., April 6. 

Surrender of rebel army under Gen. Robert E. 
Lee, at Appomatto.x Court Mouse, April 9. 



APPENDIX. 



The following statements of the doings of the town of Wayland and its citi- 
zens during the war are appended, under the belief that they will be to both 
soldiers and citizens an acceptable addition to the " Narratives." 



FIRST WAR-MEETING. 

The earliest action of the people of Wayland after the outbreak of hostilities at 
the South- is found in one of the largest meetings ever held in its precincts. It 
was called, without respect of party, " to consider the state of the country, and to 
consult upon measures to be taken at the present crisis." 

The meeting was held April 22, 1861, at the Unitarian church ; and was con- 
tinued in session for two evenings. It drew forth the most patriotic expressions 
in addresses from the chief citizens of the town. 

Committees were chosen to secure the formation of military companies to be 
drilled and made ready for any emergency. 



MILITARY COMPANY. 

On the first day of May following, a company of about eighty minute-men 
was formed and duly officered. On this occasion there was a large meeting of 
the citizens ; and a series of resolutions was unanimously passed, expressive of 
the spirit of the times. Among them was the following : — 

" We pledge our lives and our property to the cause of that liberty purchased 
for us by the blood of our heroic ancestors, that we may perpetuate it as the 
richest legacy which we can bequeath to our children." 

57 44'J 



450 



APPENDIX. 



SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY. 



The ladies of Wayland met early in May, 1861, and organized a society with 
the above designation, " to manifest sympathy with those who are engaged in the 
service of our country, and to aid them to the utmost of our power." 

This society continued active during the war ; holding meetings for work once 
a month, and at times much oftener. It expended two hundred and fifty-three 
dollars to purchase materials for work, in addition to those that were received by 
donation. 

Among the articles made by this society, and forwarded for the use of the 
army, chiefly through the agents of the United-States Sanitary Commission, were 
the folio wins: : — 



Blankets . . . 


14 


Shirts .... 


109 


Bed-quilts . . . 


53 


Pairs of drawers . 


• 44 


Bed-sacks . . . 


88 


Pairs of mittens . 


• 78 


Sheets .... 


79 


Pairs of socks 


• 235 


Pillows . . . . 


37 


Pairs of slippers . 


no 


Pillow-cases . . 


30 


Dressing-gowns . 


2 


Handkerchiefs 


455 


Towels .... 


• 79 


Comfort-bags . . 


17 







Lint, bandages, linen and cotton pieces, were furnished in unknown quantities ; 
also blackberry and currant wines, jellies, preserves, and other similar articles, for 
the sick. 

In addition to the above list, the following articles were sent from the rooms 
of the Sanitary Commission in Boston, and made up by the ladies of this 
society : — 



39 pairs drawers. 
36 pairs slippers. 
30 pairs socks. 



93 needle-books. 
98 shirts. 
50 bed-sacks. 



SOLDIERS' RELIEF SOCIETY. 

A society with the above title was early organized by the citizens of Wayland 
for the following objects : — 

" To look after and keep up a knowledge of the condition and needs of 
soldiers enlisting from Wayland, by means of correspondence ; to supply them 



APPENDIX. 45 1 

from time to time with such articles as they require beyond what they receive 
from the Commissary Department, especially in case of their being sick or 
wounded ; and to promote the comfort and well-being of their families." 

Meetings were held once a month, at which letters were read by the corre- 
sponding secretary as they were received from Wayland soldiers in the various 
parts of the army. 

Reading-matter was furnished to the soldiers to some extent ; and also arti- 
cles of clothing, &c. 

The society sent an ag'ent (William Heard) to visit the soldiers personally, 
subsequent to the fight at Antietam, and convey such articles as were needed ; 
and also another (J. S. Draper), just after the battle at Fredericksburg, for the 
same purpose, and to look after the welfare of the wounded. 

Full records of the doings of both these societies were kept, and are pre- 
served. 

MASS MEETINGS. 

Mass meetings of the citizens were frequently held, especially at each succes- 
sive " call for more troops ;" and great effort was made to fill the quotas promptly. 
For this purpose, and to prevent the execution of a draft, the sum of $3,696 was 
raised by individual subscription during the war, a considerable part of which 
was paid to foreign recruits to induce them to enlist in the Wayland quotas. 
This entire sum was subsequently refunded to the parties that furnished it, and 
the debt therefor was assumed by the town. 



BOUNTY-MONEY. 

Before the close of the year 1862, the first feelings of enthusiasm to join the 
army had greatly subsided. The noblest spirits were already doing their duty 
at the front ; and, to fill the quotas subsequently called for, resort was had to the 
" bounty system." 

The total amount for which the town became responsible in its corporate 
capacity for recruiting-purposes during the war was probably over eighteen thou- 
sand dollars,* obtained chiefly by loans on the credit of the town ; the total num- 
ber of men furnished to fill the town's quotas being a hundred and twenty-nine, 
as nearly as can be ascertained. 

* The documents and records concerning the war-expenses being in a slightly confused condition, the amount 
can only be stated approximately. 



452 APPENDIX. 



RECEPTION OF THE SOLDIERS. 

The Fourth of July, 1S65, was set apart by the citizens of the town for a 
general reception of its soldiers who had served in the war. It was an occasion 
of deep interest. Commingling with the happy greetings of the returned veterans 
were the sad remembrances of those whose lives had been required in the terri- 
ble struggle. The spirit of gratitude to God pulsed deeply in every heart, that 
his blessing had made the sacrifices of both the living and the dead effectual for 
the restoration of peace ; and that our country, purified and ennobled by the 
severe ordeal of war, was now standing firm in its integrity, bearing aloft the 
triumphant banner of Freedom. 

Among the exercises that contributed to the interest of the occasion was the 
eulogium on the deceased soldiers, by Hon. Edward Mellen ; the address to 
the veterans present, by Rev. E. H. Sears ; and a poem, reciting^ the events of 
the war, by R. F. Fuller, Esq. 

STATE AID. 

It is not improper to add, that the soldiers of Wayland and their families, with 
a few exceptions, received such pecuniary aid as the laws of the State authorized. 

The aggregate of State-aid money paid by the Treasurer of Wayland from 186 1 
to March i, 1869, is fifteen thousand six hundred and ninety-eight dollars and 
ninety-three cents ; nearly all of which has been received by Wayland soldiers. 



ERRATA. 

Page 28, fourteenth line. For " 20th," read " 21st " October. 

P.^ge 83, note. When this was prepa'ed for the press, the reputed authorship of the poem was thought to be 
1 founded : but Mr. Campbell disclaims the credit z« ioto. 
Page 100, thirteenth line. For "9th," read "8th " of July. 
Page 273, note For "superseded," read "relieved." 
Page 287. For " Cedar Hill," read " Cedar Creek." 



